Pearled Barley Risotto with Peas, Pecorino & Prosciutto

barley-risotto
Pearled barley yields a creamy, toothsome risotto. And here’s your language lesson for the day: The Italian word for barley is orzo (not to be confused with the rice-shaped pasta of the same name), and risotto made with barley is called orzotto. Yes, we probably should call this orzotto, but most people will think of this as risotto. In any case, it’s delicious by any name. This recipe also would be tasty with pearled farro (labeled farro perlato) if you find it at gourmet markets, in which case, this would be farrotto.

Braised Rabbit with Easy Pan Sauce

You’ll want a tender “fryer” or “young” rabbit for this recipe; fryers typically weigh less than 3 pounds. Ask the butcher to cut the rabbit into six serving pieces, which makes this a simple dish you can prepare on a weeknight.

No yard? No Problem … Container Gardens to the Rescue

These days, home is a second-story condo with no yard. Instead, we have a sunny, south-facing balcony and a sizable deck, which means our urban farming must be done in containers. Which is all right by me. Even when I lived in houses with yards, I was still more inclined to garden in containers because I’m horticulturally challenged and lazy. Overseeing a few containers just seemed...easier. And it is; even I’ve managed to cultivate pots of vigorous herbs and sweet cherry tomatoes.

Spring Soupe au Pistou

soupe au pistou
This simple Provencal-style soupe au pistou is the Provencal Is a delicious way to showcase delicate spring leeks and sugar snap peas.

Most Versatile Chicken Stock

chicken-stock
Homemade chicken stock recipe is easy to make and has a mellow quality that makes it particularly versatile in soups and sauces.

Stretch Your Food Budget: Use Everything

“Profits are measured in pennies,” one of my culinary school instructors often repeated to remind us of the importance of maximizing our use of ingredients. Smart chefs--those who want to stay in business--do this all the time and now, thanks to a stagnant economy, it’s a practice budget-conscious cooks are bringing home.

Easy Rice Pilaf

rice-pilaf
Mineral- and fiber-rich brown rice is the basis for an rice pilaf recipe that makes a simple side dish. Add peas or edamame for a dish of color.

Label Lingo: A Guide to Eggs

Buying eggs used to be so simple: Grab a carton off the shelf, open it to check for any cracked shells and go on your merry way. These days, however, you need to interpret a myriad of claims before deciding which carton goes into your cart. What do they all mean? Find out here.