Kathleen’s Fresh Peach Pie with Toasted Walnut Crust
Ground nuts and a touch of whole-wheat pastry flour give this crust a healthier edge. It also has less fat than traditional pastry, yet there’s enough to make it satisfyingly tender.
More Recent Basics
Fiery-Sweet Peach Salsa
The heat of the jalapeno and bite of the red onion play nicely off the subtle sweetness of the peach in this summery salsa.
Asian Pesto
I first developed this recipe out of desperation with an abundance of end-of-the-season Asian basil (it freezes wonderfully). Now it's one of our summer staples ... especially now that Noemi loves being in on the action.
Fragrant Curry Paste
This is a good choice for an all-purpose curry paste. If your fresh chiles are red, it will turn out red in color; if they're green, it will turn out green. The texture will depend on whether you're pounding the paste in a mortar and pestle or whizzing it in a food processor (note: if using a food processor, still adhere to the order the ingredients are added, just pulse together instead of pounding). This recipe makes enough curry paste to use for several dishes. Store it, tightly sealed, in the refrigerator for up to two months or in the freezer for up to six.
Easy Rice Pilaf
This side dish uses red-and-brown Indonesian Volcano Rice, which is cultivated in mineral-rich volcanic soil and is high in magnesium, manganese, and zinc. You can substitute any brown rice. We added seasonal fresh English peas for color; edamame, fresh green chickpeas, or thawed frozen peas would work well, too.
Oven-Baked Polenta with Slow-Roasted Tomatoes
Years ago, during a class at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, I made a polenta recipe by Gary Danko that cooked--fuss-free--in the oven. I adopted it and have never looked back (or slaved over another pot of polenta). This one incorporates No-Work Oven Roasted Tomatoes (which live in my freezer over the winter). Go for good-quality polenta instead of the instant variety; the texture and taste will be immeasurably better (and there's no stirring for you anyway!).
Mustard-Shallot Vinaigrette
This is a French-inspired vinaigrette that I love to use for hearty, rustic salads.
All-Purpose Asian Dipping Sauce
Use this as a drizzle or dip for just about any Asian dish. Fumiko's Gyoza are especially good for dunking.
Homemade Mayonnaise
Homemade mayonnaise is rich, creamy, and tangy in a way stuff from the jar can’t duplicate. Whipping up your own mayo also is a use of leftover egg yolks from making meringues and other egg-white-based recipes (like our Chocolate Angel Food Cake). I enjoy the satisfaction of whipping the egg yolks by hand, but you could use a blender, food processor, or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (a good idea if you decide to double or triple this recipe). The amount of oil you’ll use depends on the size of the yolks and how thick you like your mayonnaise; for a stiff sauce, use more oil. This mayo is great spread on a sandwich, as well as in other recipes, like Bestest Buttermilk-Chive Dressing. To make alioli, substitute extra-virgin olive oil for canola, and add a clove or two of garlic that’s been mashed to a paste.
All-Purpose French Lentils
These lentils are the little black dress of dinner. Toss a cup or two with a frisee salad. Serve them as a side with duck confit. Or top a bowl with some honey-ginger carrots to make them the star of the show.
Roasted Winter Veggies
This basic recipe is one we turn to again and again with different mixtures depending on what's at the market. I love how, after about 15 minutes, the kitchen is perfumed with a deep, sweet scent that lingers well past dinner. They're super versatile too. Serve them with anything--or on their own--or fold them into pasta or a frittata. And it's a perfect recipe to practice your knife skills.
Dashi
This is about the easiest broth you can imagine, with a delicate yet complex flavor. It is the base for miso soup and all sorts of Japanese noodle dishes including our Simple Udon Soup.
Basic Steel Cut Oatmeal
Steel cut oats may surprise you: Sure, they're great for breakfast (like in our Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal with Toasted Pecans), but they also make delectable savory dishes too.
Mushroom Stock
This stock is full-flavored and rich. It makes a gorgeous base for vegetable soups, and an outstanding wild mushroom risotto.
favorite finds
Spicy Hatch chiles have begun to arrive in markets across the country! These babies are key to Southwestern cooking, and they have a very short season. Stock up now, roast 'em and stash 'em in your freezer to enjoy throughout the year.
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