Basic Techniques

Seeded Popovers
Seeded Popovers - February 4, 2013

Popovers are the most delightful thing my oven produces - sky-high and billowy. Here's my go-to recipe, a few tips, and the overall technique I use.

Za'atar
Za'atar - January 27, 2013

Za'atar is an incredibly versatile Middle Eastern spice blend, one of my favorites. Particularly this time of year when it's a welcome addition to all sorts of roasted vegetables, soups and stews, or simply sprinkled over everything from yogurt, to eggs, to savory granola.

A Lesson in Juicing
A Lesson in Juicing - January 13, 2013

I inherited a professional juicer, juiced everything in sight, and learned a few things in the process.

Tarragon Oil
Tarragon Oil - September 25, 2012

Tarragon oil - one of my little secret weapons. Use it as a finishing oil on soups, as a component of anything bread-centric, and as a vinaigrette base. It's vibrant green with grassy anise notes, and just the sort of thing to keep on hand.

Cinnamon Vanilla Sunflower Butter
Cinnamon Vanilla Sunflower Butter - June 26, 2012

This one is for my sis - homemade Cinnamon Vanilla Sunflower Butter.



 
 
 
 
Parmesan Cheese Spread
Parmesan Cheese Spread - May 9, 2012

A Parmesan cheese spread made with grated cheese, olive oil, a splash of white wine, and any other accents you can think of.

Citrus Salt
Citrus Salt - January 18, 2012

A spectrum of citrus salts made from all sorts of winter citrus zest - clementines, wild lime, Meyer lemon, kalamansi oranges, and mandarinquats. Couldn't be simpler.

A Nice Berry Pie
A Nice Berry Pie - September 7, 2011

My go-to berry pie recipe - a rye flour crust and mixed berry filling seasoned with fresh thyme leaves.

Homemade Celery Salt
Homemade Celery Salt - July 18, 2011

Homemade celery salt couldn't be easier to make. I keep a bottomless jar of it on hand and use it on just about everything - eggs, soups, salads. It's hard to go wrong with it.

Golden Tomato Sauce
Golden Tomato Sauce - August 18, 2010

I spent Saturday brewing beer with my brother-in-law. For dinner, later on, I brought a simple lasagna, using this golden tomato sauce as the base - garlic, red pepper flakes, and olive oil. That's it. It's good on pasta, pizza, and only takes a few minutes to pull together.

Homemade Bouillon
Homemade Bouillon - January 15, 2010

Inspired by a recipe in the River Cottage Preserves Handbook I made my own bouillon. I've been using it in soups and stews all week, and it's so much better than any canned broth I've tasted.

Garlicky Greens
Garlicky Greens - December 21, 2008

If you love sauteed greens, give this recipe a go. I avoid overcooking, and throw plenty of garlic into the pan. You can use kale, chard, or spinach.

Grandma's Grain
Grandma's Grain - August 13, 2008

A simple, single pot mixed grain recipe inspired by a reader email from a grandmother of four - rice, oats, barley, and millet.

Cherry Cobbler
Cherry Cobbler - July 16, 2008

A rustic, cherry cobbler recipe made from fresh cherries - though you can certainly try this recipe with other types of summer fruit and berries.

Maple Grilled Tempeh
Maple Grilled Tempeh - July 10, 2008

A fantastic salty-sweet grilled tempeh recipe. The marinade is made from a simple (but effective) combination of maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic and ground chipotle pepper.

Grilled Pizza
Grilled Pizza - June 25, 2008

Grilled pizza recipe with an outline of techniques and considerations about the technique it takes to get grilled pizzas right - with topping ideas.

Plump Pea Dumplings
Plump Pea Dumplings - April 21, 2008

A vegetarian dumpling recipe featuring a simple pea, lemon, ricotta filling. Bright flavors and delicious steamed or pan-fried.

A Tasty Frittata
A Tasty Frittata - December 20, 2007

The prettiest, tastiest, frittata recipe. Made with potatoes, onions, and eggs drizzled with a cilantro chile sauce.

Spooky Ghost Meringues
Spooky Ghost Meringues - October 31, 2007

A fun meringue recipe that enables you to shape the meringue into seasonal shapes - ghosts for halloween, or snowmen for the holidays

Potato Crouton
Potato Crouton - August 26, 2007

Golden, crisped potato crouton recipe. Great in place of bread croutons in soups and salads.

Five Minute Tomato Sauce
Five Minute Tomato Sauce - August 16, 2007

Quick, simple and easy tomato sauce recipe. Bright and clean flavors, a vibrant red in color, exudes the essence of tomatoes.

An Update from the Unwilling Cook
An Update from the Unwilling Cook - July 17, 2007

An update from Barry - The Unwilling Cook.

Cooking and Camping
Cooking and Camping - July 4, 2007

A round-up of good camping recipe links.

Letter: Setting up your First Kitchen
Letter: Setting up your First Kitchen - May 22, 2007

101 Cookbooks readers weigh in on how to outfit and set up a first kitchen.

How to Make Pesto like an Italian Grandmother
How to Make Pesto like an Italian Grandmother - March 25, 2007

This favorite, stunning, vibrant pesto recipe was taught to me by my friend Francesca's mother who came to visit recently - handchopped basil, garlic, Parmesan, olive oil and pinenuts.

White Whole Wheat Pizza Dough
White Whole Wheat Pizza Dough - September 20, 2006

Fantastic Peter Reinhart inspired rustic, thin-ish crust pizza dough recipe - made from white whole wheat flour, yeast, olive oil, salt, and ice water.

Food Photography Tips
Food Photography Tips - July 21, 2006

A handful of basic food photography tips, food photography basics, and food photography camera and lens suggestions.

How to Whisk Egg Whites
How to Whisk Egg Whites - February 14, 2006

If you are looking to learn how to whisk egg whites properly, there are few better teachers than Madame E. Saint-Ange. The most meticulous intructions you are likely to find on the topic.

Best Pizza Dough Ever
Best Pizza Dough Ever - January 30, 2006

Peter Reinhart's Napoletana pizza dough recipe. It makes my all-time favorite pizza dough using a delayed-fermentation method.

Homemade Ricotta
Homemade Ricotta - July 31, 2005

So simple, a fresh ricotta recipe should be part of every cook's repertoire. Made from just two ingredients - buttermilk and whole milk.

Handmade Corn Tortillas
Handmade Corn Tortillas - April 19, 2005

Making Corn Tortillas as instructed by Diana Kennedy: From My Mexican Kitchen.