Side Dishes

Jalapeño Jack Polenta

Makes 8 servings Ingredients 4 cups water 3/4 cup yellow cornmeal 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated 1/2 pound pepper Jack cheese, grated Kosher salt, to taste 1/4 teaspoon ground white or black pepper Directions Heat the water to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Gradually pour the cornmeal into the […]

Grilling

Lemon-Ginger Grilled Chicken

Makes 8 servings Ingredients 1/4 cup lemon zest 2/3 cup lemon juice 4 teaspoons minced ginger 4 teaspoons light brown sugar, firmly packed 1 tablespoon peanut oil 4 Szechuan chile peppers, dried, seeds removed 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed 8 chicken thighs, boneless, skinless Directions Combine the […]

Main Dishes

Maccheroncini with Swordfish, Capers, Olives, and Pine Nuts

Serves 6 to 8 Ingredients 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 10 oz swordfish, trimmed and diced 3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced 1 fresh chile (jalapeño or serrano), minced Kosher salt, as needed 1 lb dried maccheroncini 1/2 cup chopped mint 3 tablespoons salted capers, rinsed with cold water 3 […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

North Africa’s Fiery Sauce

Culinary cultures based in steamy equatorial climates all have their own spicy chile condiments, like Mexico’s hot salsas, Indonesia’s sambals, Caribbean vinegar-based habañero sauces—even our own Louisiana’s Tabasco. But harissa, the garlic-laced spice paste of Tunisia, shared also by Morocco and Algeria, imparts a singular fruity complexity in the luxurious […]

Main Dishes, One-Dish Meals

Piri Piri Chicken with Cauliflower and Potatoes

Makes 4 servings Piri piri sauce is spicy, but if you prefer something milder, substitute another red bell pepper for the Fresno chiles. Cauliflower and potatoes make this an easy one dish meal, but you serve this with French fries (that’s popular at quick-service Piri Piri shops!) or even just […]

Salads, Side Dishes

Salad of Bean Starch Sheets

Makes 8 servings Bean starch sheets, also known as Tianjin green bean sheets, are translucent sheets made from mung bean starch that visually resemble Vietnamese rice paper. The slippery texture of the bean starch sheets is comparable to cellophane noodles, another product made from mung bean starch. Ingredients 1 lb […]

Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Salsa Macha

Makes about 4 cups This Mexican sauce is chile-based with the rich flavors of toasted nuts and seeds. Used as a condiment alongside, well, virtually anything, this salsa shines on quesadillas and eggs, rather than as a side for tortilla chips. This blend of chiles gives a spicy, smoky finish. […]

Chef's Notes Plus

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 […]

Main Dishes

Spaghetti with Garlic, Oil, and Hot Pepper

Serves 4 to 6 Use any variety of pasta you have on hand to make this super simple pasta dish. Serve it as is or topped with seared frozen shrimp, flaked canned tuna, or white beans. You can make the dish without the fresh parsley if you’re out, but you […]