A Slice of Cherry Clafouti
Beverages Breads & Baked Goods Desserts

Cherry Clafouti

The classic baked dessert known as “clafouti” originates in the countryside of the Limousin region of central France. The name comes from a word, clafir, which in the local dialect means, “to fill”.  Indeed, the clafouti, something of a cross between a cake, a custard and a crepe, is literally filled with sweet cherries, traditionally fresh and unpitted. While the idea of a dessert containing cherry pits may not appeal to everyone, they’re included for a reason; the pits contribute an intensely almond-like flavor to the dish …

Cherry-Infused Vodka
Beverages

Fresh Cherry-Infused Vodka

  The summery flavor of fresh cherries is transformed into a delightfully intoxicating beverage in this simple recipe for cherry-infused vodka. This intensely flavorful infusion is superb, whether you sip it straight, mix it into a cocktail or lighten it with a splash of sparkling water.  You’ll find many recipes for cherry infused spirits that  are additionally flavored with spices or citrus, but we opted for a simpler, straightforward preparation that yields an exceptionally clean, bright cherry flavor and brilliant, ruby-red color. This recipe uses sweet cherries and vodka; …

Pear Maple Syrup Pie
Breads & Baked Goods Desserts

As American As… Pear Pie?

“As American as Mom’s _______ pie.” Most people would automatically fill that space with the word “apple.” There’s certainly nothing wrong with apple pie (it’s one of our favorites), but the word “pear” would be just as correct. Domesticated apples may have been cultivated in America first (the first apple orchard on the North American continent was planted in Boston by a certain Reverend William Blaxton in 1625), but if pears weren’t there at the very start, there is no doubt that they …

Rhubarb, Pear & Raspberry Tart
Breads & Baked Goods Desserts Sauces & Condiments Seafood

A Taste of Summer: Two Rhubarb Recipes, Savory & Sweet

Rhubarb has often been called the “pie plant.” It’s true that the unique, tart flavor of rhubarb has made it a favorite in pies, crisps & crumbles, but it’s also a fantastic ingredient in tangy sauces, chutneys & compotes that make a great accompaniment to savory dishes, including meats, fish & fowl. Originally cultivated in Asia over 2,000 years ago for its medicinal qualities, it was not until the 18th century that rhubarb was grown for culinary purposes in Britain and …

Desserts Eggs Any Style

Truffle Honey Crème Brûlée

As wonderful as it is, this is probably not a dessert that you’ll want to eat every day. It’s simply too rich and too wonderful. But it is an ideal dessert for special occasions, especially if you’re sharing it with someone special. There are a few things that make this version of crème brûlée different from others. First, we used duck eggs for extra richness. Second, we used truffle honey for a touch of mysterious flavor and sweetness. Last of …

Chile Colorado with Pork
Meat Sauces & Condiments Soups & Stews

Pork Chile Colorado

If there is such a thing as Mexican soul food, this is it – carne con chile colorado, literally “meat with red-colored chile sauce.” For this year’s Cinco de Mayo celebration, honor the true spirit of Mexican cuisine by making this flavorful and well-loved dish. It’s easy to see where this dish gets its name – from the deep, reddish-brown color imparted by the flavorful dried chiles that are it’s most important ingredients. Dried ancho chile peppers are commonly used …

Wasabi Deviled Eggs with Tobikko
Appetizers Eggs Any Style Sauces & Condiments

DEVILISHLY DELICIOUS: Deviled Eggs, Three Ways

Deviled eggs are as familiar to most Americans as apple pie. Certainly, they have been a staple at picnics and family dinners for decades. During the week following Easter, the inevitable surplus of hard-boiled eggs makes deviled eggs practically a requirement in many households. But how did deviled eggs come about and where did they get their curious name? Eggs, of course, have been a source of food for thousands upon thousands of years. The mingling of spices with eggs …

Eggs with Morels & Asparagus with Meyer Lemon Sauce
Eggs Any Style Mushrooms Sauces & Condiments Vegetables

Poached Eggs, Morels & Asparagus with Meyer Lemon Sauce

Morel mushrooms.  Asparagus.  Fresh eggs. What do these ingredients have in common? They’re all traditional spring foods – and they all taste great together. This dish is a great way to celebrate the start of spring (and the end of winter). It’s just the thing for a leisurely weekend breakfast or casual brunch, and while our recipe serves just two, it’s easily scaled up for larger groups of any size. Instead of trying to twist it into some convoluted version …

Gochujang Chicken Stew
Asian Poultry Soups & Stews

Spicy Korean Gochujang Chicken Stew

Is your refrigerator bursting at its seams with dozens of bottles of hot sauce? Better make some room, because gochujang is a must-have ingredient for any thrill-loving heat-seeker. Gochujang is a bold and spicy Korean condiment that is on its way to becoming one of this year’s hottest ingredients. If it’s not already on your radar, you’ll soon be seeing it popping up on restaurant menus, but this robustly flavored red pepper paste has been around for centuries and is …

Cheese Mushrooms Pasta Sauces & Condiments Wild Foods

Malfatti with Wild Mushroom & Truffle Sauce

What’s in a name? In this case, an interesting (and amusing) story lies behind the name of this close cousin to the more familiar gnocchi.  The Italian word malfatti literally means “badly made.” Whimsical names abound in Italian cookery, especially when it comes to pasta.  For example, strozzapreti means “priest choker,” fazzoletti means “little handkerchiefs,” orechiette means “little ears,” and last but not least, farfalle meaning “butterflies.” In this country, malfatti have come to refer to something akin to a …