Four cozy winter dishes from the British Isles

Shepherd’s Pie

A FORECAST OF SNOW GOT ME THINKING OF WARM, HEARTY MEALS. Comfort food, preferably oven-braised or roasted. And that got me thinking of the British Isles, places well-versed in homey dishes to take off the chill on cold, damp days, food to make you happy to be indoors at a kitchen table. These four dishes came to mind. Continue reading “Four cozy winter dishes from the British Isles”

Seven pot roast recipes make the most of cold weather and our favorite cheap cut of beef

Belgian Pot Roast with Onions and Mushrooms

THE ARRIVAL OF COLD WEATHER HAS US THINKING POT ROAST. Hearty, flavorful, soul-satisfying slabs of meat, usually accompanied by root vegetables that have cooked with it, everything swapping flavors and becoming better for it. And usually, an excuse to have the oven on for hours, warming the kitchen and filling the house with divine meaty smells. If you’re thinking this sounds good, here are seven recipes to try. Continue reading “Seven pot roast recipes make the most of cold weather and our favorite cheap cut of beef”

Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken Thighs: a simple marinade, an easy dinner you’ll put on repeat

A simple marinade of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and herbes de Provence makes roasted chicken you’ll happily make again. Recipe below.

“WE’LL DO SOMETHING WITH IT.” We say this pretty much every time we’re grocery shopping, throwing some “it” into the cart without any clear meal or recipe in mind. As often as not, that “it” is a package of chicken thighs. This recipe was born of just such a shopping moment, and it’s so delicious and easy we’ve already made it three times. Continue reading “Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken Thighs: a simple marinade, an easy dinner you’ll put on repeat”

Cool weather and traveling friends: two perfect reasons for Duck and Andouille Sausage Gumbo

A COLLEAGUE AND HIS WIFE JUST TOOK THE TRAIN TO NEW ORLEANS. They do this every year, getting a sleeping car for the long ride from Chicago and then back again. Besides inspiring a certain amount of travel envy in us, they had us remembering a gumbo we’ve made here. More specifically, Duck and Andouille Sausage Gumbo. It combines onion, celery, bell peppers, garlic and plenty of seasonings to make big flavored Creole/Cajun comfort food, the perfect foil for chilly autumnal weather. You’ll find the recipe and the inevitable backstory here.

Korean cold-weather comfort food: Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew)

This traditional Korean stew of kimchi and pork belly is a savory, tangy, spicy dish perfect for cold weather. Recipe below.

Jjigae, Kimchi Pork Stew

THE ARRIVAL OF FALL ALWAYS GETS US THINKING OF STEWS AND SOUPS, hearty cold-weather fare to fill us with warmth in the months ahead. So we’re delighted to add kimchi jjigae, a traditional Korean kimchi pork stew, to our arsenal. Continue reading “Korean cold-weather comfort food: Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew)”

Embracing strong flavors: Pasta with Dandelion Greens

Get into the pleasantly bitter taste of super-healthy dandelion greens with weeknight-quick Pasta with Dandelion Greens. Recipe below.

Pasta with Dandelion Greens

WHEN WE CAME BACK FROM OUR CINCINNATI ROAD TRIP, the cupboard was bare. Even the simple basics for knocking together a quick yay! we’re home! meal were depleted. We ran to the neighborhood market to quickly stock up, dashing around grabbing things because we were  so, so hungry. To my amazement, in the produce department, there was a big handsome bunch of dandelion greens. I grabbed that too and said to Terry, I’ve got a bright idea. And here we are. Continue reading “Embracing strong flavors: Pasta with Dandelion Greens”

A full fridge, curiosity and a little improvising: Tomatillo Chicken

Tomatillos add tanginess to this satisfying, slightly spicy braise/stew. Recipe below.

Tomatillo Chicken

THE FRIDGE WAS SUDDENLY FULL OF THINGS NEEDING TO BE USED. There were habaneros from our garden, for instance. Impulse-bought tomatillos. Chicken thighs and cilantro not getting any fresher. Likewise bacon. At times like this, curiosity can be a valuable trait. Continue reading “A full fridge, curiosity and a little improvising: Tomatillo Chicken”

You don’t have to be vegetarian to like Tofu with Black Pepper and Asparagus

Tofu, asparagus and plenty of black pepper star in this weeknight-quick, company-pleasing vegetarian meal. Recipe below.

Tofu with Black Pepper and Asparagus

THE OTHER DAY, AS WE WERE GETTING READY FOR WEEKEND GUESTS, I ran across an interesting, easy, fast recipe by Kay Chun in the New York Times. It had everything we wanted to please our guests, one a vegetarian and the other vegetarian-adjacent. Our version is even more stripped down than the original. Our guests loved it. We loved it. Continue reading “You don’t have to be vegetarian to like Tofu with Black Pepper and Asparagus”

Satisfying, easy, healthy: Cauliflower Chickpea Dinner

This satisfying, weeknight-quick vegetarian meal is in our rotation—try it once and it will be in yours too. Recipe below.

Cauliflower Chickpea Dinner
Roasted Cauliflower Chickpea Dinner

OUR DAUGHTER LAUREL MAKES THIS QUICK, DELICIOUS DISH on a regular basis. She is not sure where she got the original recipe—she ran across it while visiting friends a few years back—but it’s become a regular part of her arsenal. It’s clearly inspired by the Indian street food chaat. It is packed with fiber and flavor, and it is so satisfying. We love it. Continue reading “Satisfying, easy, healthy: Cauliflower Chickpea Dinner”

A tangy touch for meaty richness: Lamb Chops with Artichoke Hearts

Canned or frozen artichoke hearts and lemon juice add a tangy brightness to pan-seared lamb chops. Recipe below.

Lamb Chops with Artichoke Hearts

THERE ARE LOTS OF REASONS TO EAT ARTICHOKE HEARTS. Let’s start with ways they’re really good for you. Artichoke hearts are packed with nutrients, including vitamins A, C and K, loads of protein (yes, actually) and dietary fiber. Oh, and more antioxidants than any other vegetable. But for us, the best reason to eat them is they’re delicious. Continue reading “A tangy touch for meaty richness: Lamb Chops with Artichoke Hearts”