At an overpriced tapas joint, I once took a chance on charred cucumber salad. The dish sounded counterintuitive, to put it delicately, because everyone knows a cucumber should be served cool. Cooking a cucumber would be like giving Samson a haircut before the battle. A cool cucumber is a happy cucumber. The best have tried,…
Gouda Crescents
A delicious Gouda filling wrapped in warm puff pastry makes an extremely appetizing small bite for your friends and family. The optional sauces can add either a little sweetness or a little heat. Feel free to increase the cayenne pepper in the filling if you want these crescents on the spicier side! Prep Time: 35…
Good Fat for the Holidays: How to Make Duck Rilletes
The holidays are approaching, and cheese and charcuterie boards are a great way to entertain. Look to France for inspiration and add duck rillettes to your charcuterie board. Rillettes are potted jars and terrines of shredded meat confit, traditionally prepared with duck as well as goose, game, and pork. Confit is the French term for…
Build Your Own Bruschetta
Don’t underestimate the open-faced sandwich. As simple as they may sound, these topless sandwiches are often a refreshing and decorative reflection of the season and their cuisine. They range from sleek and minimal to rustic and hearty, with flourishes that reflect their culture. The ingredients vary widely, from salads and spreads to cold meats and…
Red Lentil Dip
Serve this smoky, spicy red lentil dip with plenty of cut-up vegetables for a delicious summertime appetizer. Add crusty sourdough bread and a bowl of briny olives, and you’ll have a nice centerpiece for a light lunch. Serves 6 as an appetizer 1 cup red lentils, picked over and rinsed 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil…
How to Host the Best Picnic Ever
Dining alfresco sounds so much more impressive than “picnic,” but whatever you call it, eating under the open sky can be a delightful way to entertain friends and family. But before you grab the basket, there are a few interim steps to take in order to host the perfect picnic. Start by deciding why you…
Queso Super Fundido
We aren’t really sure if there is anything better on the planet than a dish full of molten lava cheese with spicy chorizo in it. Give this recipe a whirl and we dare you to dispute us. But just make sure you have enough chips, because once you start … Make sure you have enough…
The Secret to Making Crispy-Tender Fried Calamari Every Time
When cooked properly, fried calamari is the perfect appetizer: crisp and tender, perfect for popping into your mouth all on its own, with a spritz of lemon, or dipped into marinara sauce. On the other hand, fried calamari can easily become sad and soggy, chewy to the point of being rubbery, or — worst-case scenario…
Demystifying the Artichoke
For many, the artichoke is confounding. While considered a delicacy in Mediterranean and Californian cuisine, for the uninitiated, figuring out how to unearth its prized heart can be a mystery. The artichoke is the bud of a thistle. The leaves cover a hairy center, or choke, perched over the meaty heart, which is the artichoke’s…
These Quick, Garlicky Shrimp Can Be Served as an Appetizer or as Part of a Full Meal
Here’s the perfect recipe to serve at your next get-together. It’s quick and delicious. The shrimp takes in all the wonderful flavors of the garlic and has a bit of zip from the added chile flakes. Not only is this a stellar appetizer, but it can also be served with rice or salad as a…
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