During these cold winter months, our gatherings are typically indoor and out of the elements. But this year is unlike others, and many of us are taking our socially-distant get-togethers outside. Eating outside can be a challenge, since your hands are cold, your face is cold, and your food gets […]
4th of July Side Dishes to Steal the Show
Either you’re the person who waits all year for a grilled hot dog or burger, or you’re the person testing the limits of those paper plates with a scoop of every side dish, because nothing beats a good potato salad. Of course, no food decision is a bad decision, so […]
5 Game Day Dinners for Hungry Fans
When it comes to the big game, snacks are all well and good. But for those of us who like to eat a proper dinner at half-time, pigs-in-a-blanket might not fit the bill. If your crowd likes a well-rounded dinner-time meal, try some of these game day-ready dinners that can […]
Add a Twist to Your Kitchen Routine with Homemade Soft Pretzels
Coming across a warm soft pretzel is usually happenstance at a fair or football game. But wouldn’t it be a dream to have a chewy pretzel whenever you wanted it? We agree, and we’re sharing our family-friendly recipe for you to try at home! They begin with a dough, not […]
Be This Year’s Best Guest with These Recipes
One of the biggest challenges for dinner guests on Thanksgiving is choosing a dish to bring along that won’t take up precious oven space for reheating. It’s too risky! That’s why we always choose something that can be served cold, or better yet, at room temperature. Here are some of […]
Corned Beef with Winter Vegetables
Makes 6 servings Ingredients 5 lb corned beef brisket, trimmed 1 1/2 qt no-salt-added beef stock or cold water 7 new potatoes, halved 1 small head green cabbage, cut into wedges 7 baby turnips, peeled 15 baby carrots, peeled 1/2 lb pearl onions, blanched and peeled Salt, as needed Freshly […]
Election Day Fried Chicken
As far as we know, Election Day fried chicken is not a tradition, though maybe it should be? If, like the rest of the country, your nerves are a little shot after this election cycle (give it a rest, 2020!), Election Day Buttermilk Fried Chicken might be the thing for […]
Halloween Dinner (or, a Candy Appetizer)
You are in official Halloween weather watch mode, when you finally decide: do I have to wear a jacket over my awesome costume!? Your friends at the CIA are rooting for you, and our fingers are crossed for clear skies and warm breezes for your candy-gathering adventures! But before you […]
How to Serve Cocktails for Your Holiday Crowd, from a CIA Beverage Expert
Upon reading the title, you may be thinking: “It’s a few weeks before the holiday, and I just started to write my shopping list. I still have to fight the crowds at the grocery store, to then go home and start preparing the meal. Now you want me to make […]
Pommes Frîtes (French Fries)
Makes 6 servings We all know what the “perfect French fry” is, and the beauty of making them at home is you get to decide what shape they will be, if they’ll have skin, and exactly how salty they will be. Use this classic French-style recipe as a guide, but […]
Saucy Chicken Wings Without a Recipe
Wings are a Big Game staple, and while take-out wings on the couch is a whole mood, there is also a whole world of homemade, customizable wings waiting for you! Making wings at home is easy, whether you want them crisp and fried or roasted and tender. Here, we break […]
Take it With You! Make-ahead Recipes for Camping
Summer is the time for getaways, and we especially love road trips that end with camping! Everyone has a different idea of what camping means. You might be a no-frills camper who hikes through the woods with just the essential gear, sleeping in the grass under the stars. Or maybe […]