Pantry

Cajun Spice

Makes 1/2 cup Dried herbs and spices don’t go bad, but over time lose their intended flavor, making a dish taste muddy. Rub a little between your fingers and check the aroma, color, and taste. If these are not intense and characteristic of that spice or dried herb, it’s probably […]

Cookies, Desserts

Candy Bowl Cookies

Makes about 2 dozen cookies These cookies are a classic chocolate chip cookie recipe, with a twist. In place of chocolate chips, we’ve used chip-sized pieces of Halloween-favorite chocolate candies, like peanut butter cups, chocolate-covered caramels, and chocolate-coated toffee pieces. Use whatever you like best, adding as many textures as […]

Beverages and Cocktails

Cantaloupe Gin and Tonic

Makes 4 cocktails Cantaloupe is naturally sweet and floral, making it an unexpectedly delicious flavor for late summer cocktails. This juiced-up gin and tonic features the tiniest little bit of rosewater to bring out those floral notes, but you can leave it out if it’s not for you. For every […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments, Side Dishes

Caramelized Onions

Makes about 1 cup Caramelizing onions is a slow process, but it can be almost meditative if you let it. They require frequent attention, which makes them a great side-project while doing other jobs in the kitchen. If you have a large enough pan, make a large batch and freeze […]

Cookies, Desserts

Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies

Makes about 24 cookies We love these cookies for any day of the week, but they are extra special for Easter and other celebrations. Make these cookies a day or two before you plan to serve them. The cookies and icing will meld, and the icing itself will firm up […]

Soups and Stews

Catalan Beef Stew

Makes 4 servings This Spanish dish marries a flavorful cut of beef from the shoulder with some typical Catalonian ingredients: oranges, olives, red wine, and bacon. Bitter oranges are traditional, but if you don’t have access to a bitter orange, use a Valencia (juice) orange and a touch of lime […]