Starting a new cooking routine doesn’t have to be daunting, and accepting your limitations for time, space, budget, and skill is the first step to creating a realistic strategy. At the CIA, we think food is fun, so we make a lot of our ingredients at home, but that doesn’t […]
Meal Prep: Grain Salad
It’s that time of the week again when we have to start thinking about the meals to come for the week. We think that Sunday is the perfect day to batch cook a few simple dishes and ingredients to make the work week go by smoother. Today we are talking […]
Mediterranean Cooler
Makes 8 servings Look for bottled pomegranate juice the produce section of well-stocked supermarkets or health food stores. You can substitute other juices for those we recommend here. Grapefruit and cranberry juice makes a Seabreeze. Orange and cranberry makes a Madras. A modest amount of club soda gives the drink […]
Meltaways to Celebrate your BFF!
The best part of Valentine’s Day (besides the chocolate!) is celebrating the people we love—whether that’s our parents, our brothers and sisters, girlfriends and boyfriends, or just our besties! And, sure, we think part of celebrating your BFFs is doing something fun, a special little treat can certainly help. We […]
Mexican-Style Street Corn Salad
Makes 4 to 6 servings Ingredients 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen 1 tablespoon lime juice 3 tablespoons mayonnaise Hot sauce, to taste 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/4 cup chopped cilantro 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder […]
Mignonette for Oysters
Makes 1 cup This is the most very basic mignonette to top fresh raw oysters, and you can add whatever flavors you love best to make it your own. Popular additions include minced chiles, freshly squeezed citrus juice, pomegranate seeds, cucumber, and minced herbs.
Minestra Maritata
Makes 4 to 6 servings This is a typical dish of the Campania region in which the meat “marries” with the vegetables. The broth can be prepared a few days before the rest of the soup, making it a quick and easy spring time supper. Ingredients 8 oz pork ribs […]
Minguichi (Chile and Cheese Soup)
Makes 6 servings This soup, from Michoacán in Western Mexico, is perfect at the end of summer when the tomatoes and corn are at their best, but it’s just as flavorful in the winter, and even quicker to make from canned tomatoes and frozen corn. If you wish, you can […]
Mini Calzones
Makes 8 mini calzones These are classic calzone flavors perfectly kid-sized for a fun handheld movie-night dinner! Set out a variety of fillings so everyone can make their own, and don’t be afraid to try something new, like Buffalo chicken, taco pockets, or barbecue pulled pork! Ingredients 1 lb Pizza […]
Mint Meltaways
Makes 81 pieces They are called meltaways for a reason: When coconut fat is mixed with chocolate, the result is a mixture that melts very quickly in the mouth. Add flavoring to it, and you have a singular sensation. No need to dip these in chocolate—just dust with powdered sugar […]
Minty Peach Iced Tea
Makes 6 servings In the heart of summer, we’re always looking for ways to use super ripe peaches that may have gotten way from us, and this quick and easy iced tea is one of the most refreshing. Adjust the sweetness depending on the sweetness of your peaches, and don’t […]
Mocha Torte
Makes one 8-inch torte A torte is a European-style pastry typically made with layers of sponge cake, a jam or cream filling, and a frosting. These rich and complex desserts are often enjoyed in the middle of the afternoon, served with coffee or tea, rather than as a dessert following […]