Main Dishes

Grilled Tofu with Eggplant and Parmesan

Makes 4 servings The secret to grilling tofu is to first press it until most of its moisture comes out. Layer it between paper towels while pressing it and change the towels as they get wet (see the recipe for a photo). The smokiness from grilling eggplant and tofu adds […]

Side Dishes

Grits with Corn and Hominy

Makes 4 to 6 servings This dish combines three types of corn for a hearty side. Try it for breakfast with a fried egg and plenty of hot sauce. Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 large yellow onion, minced (about 1 1/2 cups) 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 cup seeded […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Harissa

Makes about 1 1/2 cups Ingredients 1 1/4 lb fresh red chiles, preferably Fresnos 1 small red dried hot chile 1 oz sun-dried tomatoes (about 1/3 cup) 1 garlic clove, crushed to a paste with a pinch of salt 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander 1/4 teaspoon ground […]

Main Dishes, Soups and Stews

Hlelem (Tunisian Vegetable and Bean Soup)

Makes about 150 individual candies Packed with beans and greens, this slightly spicy vegetable soup is both tasty and good for you. Harissa is a Tunisian hot sauce or paste usually made with hot chiles, garlic, cumin, coriander, caraway, and olive oil. It’s available in cans, jars, or tubes from […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Home School: Easy Tomato Sauce

Reasons Why You Might Want to Make Tomato Sauce This Week: It’s delicious, and pasta is a pretty efficient comfort food. It’s also versatile and good for more than pasta (read: pizza, stirred into broth to make a soup, smeared on bread, etc.) It’s easy. It’s endlessly customizable, meaning you […]

Chef's Notes Plus

How to Make a Pan Sauce with No Recipe

Just like you, we’re not making fully formed extravagant dinners every night of the week. Sometimes a basic pan-cooked protein + side is as good as it gets, like a sautéed chicken breast or seared pork chop. But just like the foundations of French cooking tell us, nothing makes a […]

Main Dishes

Individual Lasagnas with Spring Vegetables

Makes 4 servings Get your kids or guests to help assemble the lasagnas. Let each “sous chef” add one ingredient—noodles, purée, veggies—to the plate. If you can’t find whole grain lasagna noodles, conventional dry lasagna noodles will work just fine. Ingredients Kosher salt, as needed 1 bunch (approximately 1 pound) […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Italian-Style Sauce

Makes 1 cup Use this sauce for dipping, as a marinade, or as the base for a salad dressing. Stir it into soup for a punch of herb flavor, or serve it along side grilled or roasted vegetables or meat. Ingredients 2 cups roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley 1/4 cup extra-virgin […]

Pantry

Japanese Seven-Spice Mixture

Ingredients 1 tablespoon ground sansho pepper 1 tsp nori, finely crumbled 1 tablespoon dried orange peel, minced 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds 2 tablespoons minced garlic Directions Combine all the ingredients and reserve until needed.