Last month, I attended the 2013 National Restaurant Show at McCormick Place. At the show I had the opportunity to attend a cooking demo with New York celebrity chef Jonathan Waxman, an early culinary influence of mine from back in the day. If you ever had the chance to dine at Jams or Bud’s in […]
Summertime. It’s that season when you’re asked to bring a dish to the block party, pre-fireworks picnic, or backyard barbecue. Sure, your black bean and corn salad is damn tasty, but are you bringing that AGAIN? Branch out a little with freekeh, an ancient grain that’s seeing a resurgence. Freekeh is made from roasted green […]
Chicken Vesuvio has always been a favorite of mine; it’s my go-to dish to bring to friends, and it’s great served hot, cold or at room temperature. I love garlic, oregano and lemon in combination with potato spears and chicken on the bone. Here, I’ve updated it with sweet potatoes and wild ramps. This […]
This dish represents some of the best colors and flavors of summer from your local farmers’ market. Delicious as a first course with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, or as the main event with some great crusty bread. Convito’s Summer Risotto Serves 6 Garnish 1/4 cup yellow grape tomatoes, diced 1/4 cup red grape tomatoes, […]
One of my favorite cookbooks in recent memory is Deb Perelman’s “The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook.” It’s filled with fabulous, craveable recipes, all of which are eminently doable. And that’s good news, especially for Mother’s Day! Mom will love everything about these whole-wheat raspberry-ricotta scones, which are a little fruity, a dollop of healthy, and a […]
This meatless dish is perfect for summer—fresh and filling, yet still healthy and light. Loaded with vegetables and protein, these stuffed peppers will quickly become regulars in your warm-weather menu rotation. We especially love how customizable this dish is. Mix and match ingredients to find your favorite combination—chopped onions, spinach, celery and pine nuts also […]
For a meal that I can prep in advance, I like to make meatloaf. In an effort to appeal to my kiddos, I had them help me prepare and bake the meatloaf into cupcakes. They were confused at first when I pulled out meat and not sugar, but they ended up loving their cupcake creation! […]
If you’re like me and the day got away from you, it’s a pizza pie and a quick salad that I threw together. But don’t forget a great drink! I give you Sunshine in a (Martini) Glass. Just three simple ingredients, and happiness occurs. Inspired by a recent luncheon for author Amy Stewart and her […]
Everyone loves this popular dish from Noodles & Company, and now you can skip the trip and make it yourself at home. This recipe is super easy, nutrient-dense and makes a perfect kid-friendly dinner when you’re crunched for time—and it’s a good alternative to the usual mac and cheese. Another bonus? You can make four […]
This delicious and fresh shrimp dish is so fast, you can make it for a weeknight dinner. But even though it’s a quick recipe, it looks so good, you’ll feel like you could win “The Taste” with it. Two tips: First, make sure the shrimp are totally dry before you sauté them. Drain them on […]
