DELICIOUSLY SWEET ENGLISH PEAS ARE IN SEASON RIGHT NOW. Late spring into early summer is a good time to look for them. We found some at a favorite produce stand of ours last weekend. One of the ways we like to eat them is in Fettuccine with Peas and Prosciutto, pictured above. We’re taking a break this week, but you’ll find the recipe (and our secret favorite way to eat these peas) in this post from the Blue Kitchen archives.
Rosemary, thyme and loads of garlic flavor this traditional (and boneless) roast leg of lamb. Recipe below.
LAMB IS A YEAR-ROUND FAVORITE WITH US, in all its forms. But in the spring, what we really want is leg of lamb. There is just something celebratory and spring-welcoming about roasting this big joint of meat, its aroma filling the house, then carving and sharing it with others. Even though it’s just the two of us now, we couldn’t resist making leg of lamb this year. Continue reading “Boneless Leg of Lamb makes this classic spring roast even easier”
Matzoh, eggs and very little else create a simple, quick, tasty and filling meal that can be served sweet or savory. Recipe below.
WHEN I TOLD MY SISTER LENA I WAS MAKING MATZOH BREI, she began reminiscing about our mom. She reminded me that when she was in elementary school, occasionally at lunchtime, when the weather was nice, she would walk home and Ma would fix her something. Sometimes it was a hamburger and sometimes it was a nice sandwich and a bowl of mushroom barley soup. And sometimes it was matzoh brei, with grape jam or powdered sugar. Then Lena would walk back to school in time for her next class. Continue reading “A Passover staple that’s perfect year ’round: Matzoh Brei”
Chicken with Leeks is a light, creamy, earthy dish—perfect for whatever spring is dishing out. Recipe below.
IN THE FIRST WEEK OF SPRING HERE, it got up to 71 degrees and it snowed—not the same day, but in the same week. Chicken with Leeks and Mushrooms, a light, creamy, earthy dish, is perfect for both extremes. Continue reading “Seasonal? Unseasonal? Chicken with Leeks and Mushrooms works for either”
Broccoli rabe (rapini or spring broccoli) and lemon juice add a subtle spring brightness to this quiche. Recipe below.
ONE NIGHT IN LYON, MARION AND HER SISTER HAD DINNER in a little neighborhood restaurant. When they were seated, the waiter asked them one question: “Rouge ou blanc?” Red or white, meaning the wine. Once they chose their wine, there were no more choices—the meal they were served was all determined by the wine. I sometimes think Blue Kitchen is like that. Continue reading “A promising hint of spring: Broccoli Rabe and Chicken Quiche”
A rich, thick stovetop-cooked tomato sauce with white beans is topped with two cheeses and then baked. It can be vegetarian or not. Recipe below.
SOME PEOPLE THINK WE HAVE AN EDITORIAL CALENDAR FOR BLUE KITCHEN—that we carefully and thoughtfully plan what we are going to cook and talk about it weeks or even months in advance. Those people do not know us. Continue reading “A delicious spin on a classic: Pizza Beans”
Marinated artichoke hearts and spinach create a subtle, flavorful base for this vegetarian quiche. Recipe below.
I AM ALWAYS READY FOR QUICHE. If we’re out somewhere and see it on the menu, that’s what I’m ordering. I’m also a big fan of artichoke hearts. So recently, when Kalyn Denny shared her recipe for Artichoke, Kale and Ricotta Pie, my first thought was “that looks delicious”—closely followed by my second thought: “artichoke hearts would make a great quiche.” Continue reading “Artichoke Heart and Spinach Quiche? Yes, please”
These classic Chinese dumplings are an impressive “yeah-I-made-these” appetizer. Recipe below.
MY POTSTICKERS ARE LIKE SNOWFLAKES. NO TWO LOOK EXACTLY ALIKE. In celebration of Lunar New Year, the fun committee of the ad agency where I work hosted a virtual potsticker-making class. Having made our fillings beforehand from shared recipes, there we were in our Google Meet grid, trialing and erroring our way through filling, folding and pleating our dumplings. Continue reading “Fun to make, delicious to eat: Pork and Cabbage Potstickers”
VALENTINE’S DAY IS RAPIDLY APPROACHING. And if you’re like us, your inbox is stuffed with dinner recipes to cook for your valentine. In searching through our own archives, we came across a post from several years ago that gathered some of our favorite courses for a romantic dinner. Take a look. We hope you’ll find something you like. And Happy Valentine’s Day, all.
Fennel bulbs help flavor these chops—and serve as a side in this one-pot, weeknight-quick meal. Recipe below.
NEVER TRUST IDEAS HAD AT 1:45 IN THE MORNING. I was lying awake last Saturday at said hour, realizing we didn’t have a recipe to post this coming Wednesday and knowing we would be out of town on Sunday. Suddenly, I thought of cooking pork chops with fennel bulbs. It sounded like a great idea, one-pot simple and a cozy winter antidote—I sent myself a note and went to sleep. It was a great idea. We’d done it in 2015. Continue reading “Pork Chops with Fennel, a one-pot cozy winter meal”