The other day I was craving something fresh and light that also packs a lot of flavor. I had also come across a reasonably-priced Japanese mandolin slicer, which I love for shaving super thin slices of vegetables for raw salads. Chad Haynes, our test kitchen director, likes to tear the herbs rather than chopping and [...]

As much as I love long-simmered stews, bowls of polenta with lots of butter and cheese, I’m always happy to forgo (temporarily) daube Provençale or cassoulet for the color, flavor, and crunch of these moments before summer. Photos below are some shots of spring I’ve taken over the past year or so: 1) Pea “chutes” [...]

One of my favorite cooks and eating partners, Sara Foster, has once again shared some brilliant recipes. This time she offers us ways to capture the sweetness of summer without overcooking. According to Sara, in this Organic Gardening article, freezer jams are “another, easier way to get that sunny flavor in the middle of winter… [...]

I don’t know why I was compelled to make marshmallows, especially since I’m not a huge fan of them, but I like a culinary challenge. And I was tweeting with Ray Isle of Food and Wine Magazine about what to do with my bottles of Vin Jaune and vin de paille from the Jura region [...]

Suvir calls himself Susie Homemaker…well, here he is. Actually, Suvir graced us with his presence and taught us that there is life beyond curry at The Floating Island Workshops last summer in Seaside, Florida. Top Chef Masters has just premiered and already there seems to be a favorite. This season’s “Masters” include Floyd Cardoz, Mary [...]

It’s no secret that I love oysters–fresh and cold, raw on the half shell with just a squeeze of lemon. The more they taste of the ocean the better. I grew up eating Gulf oysters–raw, in stews, fried and piled high onto French bread, or charbroiled. Ten years in France had me favoring Belons and [...]

There’s nothing better than eating peaches out of hand, and slurping the rundown juices from your fingers and wrists. If you want to serve otherwise, peel and slice, then infuse fresh lemon verbena leaves in a simple syrup of sugar and water cooked down til syrupy. Pour over the peaches and add a few more [...]

Crazy ice cream flavors have their place, just not in my kitchen. I can’t say I don’t enjoy a scoop of Ben & Jerry’s Fossil Fuel now and then but when I started making ice cream last year, I wanted to take pure, natural flavors and let them shine in new and interesting combinations. Buttermilk, [...]

Some of my favorite New Orleans sandwiches from Central Grocery, Casamento’s, and Parkway Bakery and Tavern.

I’ve been working all week with talented (and hungry) writers in Seaside, FL at the Floating Island Writers’ Workshop. Aside from my editing duties and acting as Camp Director, I’ve been making sure all are well fed. We’ve been able to appreciate fresh local Gulf seafood from Goatfeathers; thankfully, this part of the Gulf hasn’t [...]

I just got back from a quick 24-hour trip to speak at Berkeley College at Yale (more on that in the next post) and now, 5 airplane and 2 shuttle rides later, it’s time for a relaxing Sunday supper with friends. We’re cooking up a perfect simple menu to celebrate the season: leg of lamb [...]

I’m into the final testing of recipes for Tupelo Honey Cafe and their upcoming cookbook. Today, I had a kitchen full of grits–McEwen and Sons stone ground grits, quick-cooking, yellow, blue…Here are some shots from today’s testing: fried green tomatoes and basil goat cheese grits. A dash of Tabasco green pepper sauce is always a [...]