[su_dropcap style=”flat”]A[/su_dropcap] recent visit to the Polish market in our old neighborhood hooked us up with a satisfyingly crusty loaf of bread and put us in full sandwich mode. Here are seven inspired ways to turn two slices of bread—or a baguette—into a meal. Continue reading “Summertime and the sandwich is an easy choice: seven inventive recipes”
THE FIRST SATURDAY OF AUGUST IS NATIONAL MUSTARD DAY. To celebrate this bright, versatile (and admittedly polarizing) condiment, we share six recipes that showcase its many personalities, from delicate to puckery bright. Continue reading “Six surprising recipes for celebrating National Mustard Day”
The sudden onslaught of full-on summer has us thinking salads. Here are five recipes—traditional and otherwise—for flavorful summer salads.
[su_dropcap style=”flat”]I[/su_dropcap] think we slept through spring this year in Chicago. We went from comforters on the bed well into May to 98º this past weekend. From braises and stews to salads. These are some of our favorites. Continue reading “Mixing it up, keeping it cool: five salad recipes”
[su_dropcap style=”flat”]E[/su_dropcap]ggs—quick-cooking, affordable, versatile sources of protein—show they can go beyond the breakfast table in these six recipes. Continue reading “Not just for breakfast: a half dozen recipes made with (or made better with) eggs”
Seven recipes—traditional and not-so-traditional—make use of Chinese five-spice powder. Recipes below.
[su_dropcap style=”flat”]H[/su_dropcap]ow many times have you bought a spice for a specific recipe and then never used it again? It just sits there among your other spices, taunting you. If Chinese five-spice powder falls into that category for you, here are some delicious ways to use it up—or excuses to go buy some. Continue reading “One ingredient, seven recipes: Chinese five-spice powder”
Six recipes showcase meals, flavors, techniques and culinary influences of the African continent.
Quite unintentionally, a serially bankrupt businessman and second-rate former reality TV celebrity has become the education president. On practically a weekly basis, anxious parents find themselves scrambling to teach their children the meanings of new offensive terms—and worse, explain new offensive behaviors by the so-called leader of the free world. The most recent (as we go to press, at least) is truly appalling. Continue reading “White House special: Six recipes created, inspired or influenced by Africa”
Eleven years ago this month, we started Blue Kitchen. We really had no idea exactly what we were doing or any clue we’d still be publishing it now. But our love of food—eating it, making it, thinking, talking and writing about it—has kept us going. Today, we launch into year 12 with a look back at the first 11 years, one recipe per. Continue reading “The Anniversary Edition: 11 Years, 11 Recipes”
It’s been a sloppy couple of days here as fall settles in—rainy, blustery, chilly. That might get some people thinking about warm, sunny climes somewhere. What I’m thinking about is short ribs. Meaty, flavorful and, yes, a little chewy, short ribs are one of my favorite “cheap cuts” of beef. Here are four recipes perfect for cold, rainy days. Continue reading “Making the most of the cheap cuts: four recipes for braised short ribs”
I claim to be an omnivore, but if I’m being honest, I’m more of a carnivore who also appreciates decent sides. I’ve been known to say, “A day without meat is like a day without sunshine.” That said, some really delicious vegetarian recipes have appeared here over the years, some of them even cooked by me. Here are six of our favorites. Continue reading “Savory, satisfying, meatless: six of our favorite vegetarian recipes”
Lamb and turkey stand in for ground beef in these five burger recipes.
I’ve been thinking about burgers lately. Big, juicy, beefy burgers. So imagine my surprise when I dug through the Blue Kitchen archives and didn’t find a single beef hamburger. But I did find these lamb and turkey burgers, and I remember every one of them fondly. Continue reading “Five burgers, no beef”