It’s a scorcher out there! And when the weather is extra warm, our favorite dinners can start to seem awfully…hot (looking at you, spaghetti). To beat the heat, we’re rounded up some of our favorite recipes to enjoy under a strong fan. There may be some quick cooking involved, but […]
All About Caviar
Caviar is the salted roe of fish, traditionally sturgeon, which is prized for its briny delicate flavor. Due to overfishing, politics, and pollution, the supplies have dwindled and the price has increased, leading to a flood of alternative varieties from many sources. The delicate berries of true caviar come from […]
All About Ceviche
It is funny in the food world how trends come and go, yet some dishes fly just under the radar. Ceviche is a dish that continues to be interesting but has yet to reach the cross-cultural influence that, say, sushi has. The origins of both are not as far-flung as […]
Baccalà Mantecato (Whipped Salt Cod)
Makes 6 appetizer servings Choose thick pieces when buying salted cod, as thinner pieces tend to be very salty and removing the salt from them might be a challenge. Grilled bread or polenta is the perfect accompaniment to this dish. This dish is really not complete until you pair it […]
Cataplana Clams
Makes 5 small-bite servings A cataplana is a hammered copper, hinged pot of Portuguese origin that resembles a clam shell. It is used to steam shellfish and can be used on the stovetop or in the oven. Besides being fun to cook in and a bit unusual, it also looks […]
Chilled Chile-Garlic Noodles with Shrimp
Makes 6 servings This recipe makes more sauce than you need, but it will keep well, so you can use it again in a few weeks. These noodles are great with shrimp, but you can make it vegetarian with crispy tofu or sautéed mushrooms. Ingredients 1 large shallot, thinly sliced […]
Citrus-Cured Salmon
Makes 24 servings Curing salmon at home is an easy project that makes for a big presentation at a special brunch. Serve the cured salmon with toast and your favorite pickled accompaniments, alongside your softly scrambled eggs, or with plenty of cucumbers and hard-boiled eggs. Ingredients 1 (24 oz) salmon […]
Cleaning Octopus and Squid
Cleaning Octopus Octopus is typically sold already cleaned. However, you may need to occasionally remove the viscera, eyes, and beak (sometimes know as the eye). If the octopus you purchase has already been cleaned, simply cut the head away from the legs, and cut into the appropriate size. Baby octopus […]
Cleaning Soft Shelled Crab
Soft shelled crab is a summertime delicacy with a short season and limited availability, so when the time comes, you have to be ready! Soft shelled crabs are typical “hard shell” crabs that are caught and prepared during their molting phase. In preparation for shedding, the crab develops a thin, […]
Crab and Chive Tart
Makes one 9-inch tart In many regions of the United States, fresh pasteurized lump crabmeat is readily available April through November, but it also can be purchased flash-frozen or canned. Here the delicate, sweet flavor of the crab is complemented by mild chives, sweet red bell peppers, and Old Bay […]
Crab and Mushroom Chowder
Makes 8 servings Many supermarkets now carry a greater selection of mushroom varieties, such as shiitake, oyster, and cremini mushrooms. You can make this delicious chowder using a single variety or a combination. Avoid white mushrooms, though; they don’t have the flavor and texture needed for this hearty soup. Ingredients […]
Crawfish Étouffée
Makes 4 to 6 servings Étouffée is the name given to dishes like this one that are gently cooked in a covered pot. Crawfish, or crayfish, are sold live or as cooked meat. If you buy crawfish meat, look for the words fat-on. Crawfish fat is an integral part of […]