Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Ginger-Sesame Dressing

Makes 1 cup This staple vinaigrette comes in handy whether you’re dressing lettuce greens, noodles, or even just steamed green beans. The fermented black beans, found at the Asian market or online, add saltiness and a savory depth of flavor, but you can leave them out if you don’t have […]

Salads

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

Makes 8 servings Caesar salad dressing often contains egg yolk and is blended to make a creamy, emulsified dressing. That’s amazing, but this is easy and delicious, making it perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Substitute the grilled chicken for shrimp or salmon, if you like, or even shredded rotisserie […]

Salads, Side Dishes

Grilled Fennel Salad with Oranges, Olives, and Cilantro

Makes 8 servings When you can find small fennel bulbs, use them instead. They are more tender and will cook more quickly. You’ll need 8 small bulbs to replace the 3 average-sized fennel we used below. Ingredients 3 fennel bulbs 1/4 cup thin-sliced red onion 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar […]

Sandwiches

Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

Makes 5 servings   These are your basic grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, but as far as we’re concerned, they’re just a starting point for your foodie-creativity. Though, yes, these are perfect as is, especially beside some Cream of Tomato Soup, experiment with different breads, cheeses, meats, and even toppings. […]

Salads, Side Dishes

Insalata di Riso (Rice Salad)

Serves 8 to 10 Make this with whole grains such as brown rice, spelt, or barley if you prefer. Increase the cooking time for these grains and cook them long enough to be tender to the bite. Ingredients Kosher salt, as needed 1 lb (2 2/3 cups) Carnaroli or Arborio […]

Breakfast and Brunch, Main Dishes, Pies and Tarts

Kale, Bacon, and Onion Quiche

Makes one 9-inch quiche Kale, a member of the cabbage family, is widely available during the winter and early spring. It has a mild flavor, and its dark, richly colored green leaves add contrast to the salty bacon in this quiche. Ingredients One All-Butter Pie Dough, unbaked single crust 6 […]

Salads

Kale, Cashew, and Cranberry Pasta Salad

Makes 4 to 6 portions This pasta salad is great cold or at room temperature (a gift from the meal prep fairies), but it’s just as good hot, if you don’t have time to give it a good chill. Ingredients 12 oz whole wheat penne 1/4 cup olive oil 1/2 […]

Main Dishes, Sandwiches

Madeira-Glazed Portobello Sandwiches

Makes 8 servings Portobello mushrooms a dense, meaty texture when cooked. They can be prepared for this recipe a day ahead; cool the broiled mushroom caps completely and refrigerate until needed. Slice the mushrooms and allow them to return to room temperature before assembling the sandwiches. Use dry marsala or […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Make Creamy Salad Dressings without a Recipe

As salad dressings go, oil and vinegar—their cute couple name is Vinaigrette—are sort of the popular kids. Everyone likes them, they get along with anyone/salad, and here’s where this metaphor falls apart: you don’t need a recipe. But sometimes a salad and/or your brain are just begging for a creamy […]