Bacon, garlic team up for ultimate roast chicken

There is just something about roasted chicken that comforts, nourishes and satisfies like nothing else, especially when the wind is howling and it is cold outside. Not too long ago, I went to visit a friend and when I walked into her house I had …

FDA head says menu labeling ‘thorny’ issue

Diners will have to wait a little longer to find calorie counts on most restaurant chain menus, in supermarkets and on vending machines. Writing a new menu labeling law “has gotten extremely thorny,” says the head of the Food and Drug Administration, as the agency …

A sweet, salty salmon dish

I’m not a huge fan of fishy fish, but every once in a while, to please my fish-loving husband, I’ll nibble on a piece of salmon. This dish in the just-published “Pati’s Mexican Table” by Pati Jinich caught my eye because it marries three of …

A lighter take on matzo ball soup

The Husband is Jewish and I am his shiksa bride. As young marrieds, we ignored both traditions equally. But when we had children, we began celebrating Jewish and Christian holidays alike, so that as the kids matured they could naturally gravitate to the rituals that …

‘Fried’ oysters that spare you from hassle of deep-frying

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day I have packed four Irish ingredients into one tasty little appetizer — oysters, cabbage, Guinness stout and Colman’s Mustard. Here in America we like our oysters fried. But I no more intended to fry these guys than to bathe …

Get past drinking green beer on St. Patrick’s Day

Can we all just agree that unless you’re a frat boy (or girl), green beer belongs nowhere near your lips on St. Patrick’s Day? Because there really are so many other ways to celebrate the holiday, not to mention far more appealing methods of sipping …

Cauliflower’s calling: Humble veggie steps out in style

Gone are the days of boring old steamed cauliflower topped with cheese sauce (although for us cauliflower-philes, that’s delicious, too). Now you can find it mashed, fried, served as a “steak,” smothered in a cream and cheese sauce and so much more.

Chefs pick scenes for best screen cuisine

What happens when you ask a group of food world luminaries to come up with their picks for Best Food Scene in a movie? You get some unexpected responses. Who knew “Pulp Fiction” was such a foodie flick? You pick up a few tips, like …

Real chocolate can be healthy (and loving) choice

Love is always sweeter when expressed with chocolate! Especially on Valentine’s Day. Yes, chocolate ... And the more ooey-gooey deeply chocolaty, the better. Still, there’s no sense overdoing it. I’ve always believed that when it comes to dessert, a little bit can go a long …

Oscar entertaining made easy? It’s formulaic!

Canapes may sound stuffy, but they actually are the ultimate in ease when it comes to party food. Plus, they look great and can be combined in endless ways to suit any taste. So we created a simple formula for making canapes, dividing them into …

An eggy strata for a romantic breakfast in bed

Casseroles are a funny thing. You aren’t likely to see them lauded as the hot new food trend any time soon. Yet make a great one, and suddenly folks clamor for the recipe. My favorite casserole is one that typically is served for breakfast or …

Not going out? Make a Valentine’s at-home special

Not planning to go out for Valentine’s Day? Time to start planning a special menu for a romantic night in. This dish is warm and comforting, and rich with flavors that say “you’re special.” It cooks up in a gratin dish, so you can assemble …

All hail kale

Kale is the new bacon.

Think that’s going too far? Kale chips, kale salad, braised kale, fried kale, kale and eggs, pickled kale, kale soup, kale pizza, kale pasta, kale pie, kale pancakes, kale juice, kale smoothies, kale cocktails, kale ice cream and kale everything …

Time to give pressure cookers another try

Pressure cookers make you think of exploding meals, right? That is so yesterday. Modern pressure cookers are full of fail-safes that make them no more dangerous than any other cooking device.

Guacamole: Fresh takes on a Super Bowl classic

Looking for a few simple ways to freshen up the go-to dish of the Super Bowl? We cobbled together a mighty tasty basic guacamole, then came up with four ways to turn basic into unbelievably good. If sweet and heat are your style, go for …