From James's kitchen
Tested, annotated, and worth returning to. Browse dependable recipes for everyday cooking, relaxed weekends, and occasions worth sharing.
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241My friend Pat Loud asked if I could make a dessert for a party she was hosting at her home. The guest of honor was Cherry Vanilla - the famed rock goddess, publicist extraordinaire, poet and performance artist. The evening was to celebrate the release of he…
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242This is a great change of pace from traditional chocolate brownies. The oatmeal and butterscotch compliment each perfectly – buttery, chewy, delicious bars.
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243I love make-ahead recipes, whether it’s the main course or dessert, it’s nice to have some of the work done in advance. Blueberry Pie is one of my favorites, but can be tricky because the juicy berries can create a challenge for maintaining a crispy crust.…
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245Boneless chicken breasts are pretty common for dinner but can get a bit boring. I’m always looking for new ways to prepare them and this apricot version is a nice change of pace. I like to serve the chicken with green beans and brown rice.
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246Carrot Cake is a classic favorite for many. The problem is that sometimes the cake is either very dry or too moist, with an almost gummy texture, but this recipe delivers the perfect texture. I think the walnut oil gives the cake a greater depth of flavor,…
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247What’s not to love about these cookies? If you’re a fan of Reese’s peanut butter cups, these may become your new favorite cookies. I made mine with White Whole Wheat flour, but feel free to use all purpose flour, or a combination of white and wheat.
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248This is the time of year to find great varieties of apples – visit your local orchard or farmer’s market and try something new. This is an easy quick bread from the folks at King Arthur and tastes best with homemade applesauce, but unsweetened jarred sauce…
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249Cinnamon is the star ingredient, so try to use the best possible. I like Vietnamese Cinnamon - the strongest, richest, and sweetest cinnamon around. I get mine from Penzey’s (they have locations around the US or you can order online here - http://www.penzey…
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250These chewy fudgy chocolate cookies from Cook's Country will satisfy any chocolate lover who craves a brownie in cookie form. I use Callebaut chocolate, but Ghirardelli is also a fine choice. Three types of chocolate combine to deliver a deep dark rich choc…
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251This is a great recipe for two, but can easily be increased to feed a crowd. Barilla no boil lasagna noodles work best in this recipe and you can easily make them ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.
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252This old-fashioned snack cake recipe features chewy coconut, crunchy toasted pecans, and caramel-like flavor. Do not use old-fashioned or instant oats for this recipe. It’s best to use a metal baking dish; glass pans are not recommended when broiling.
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253My friend Robert called asking for a good buttermilk pancake recipe – he said he was very surprised not to find one on my site. I do have one for whole grain pancakes, but if you’re looking for a traditional buttermilk pancake, this one works just fine. It…
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254This is a great summer pasta recipe and perfect for a Labor Day Cookout. It makes good use of leftover chicken, or use an already cooked rotisserie chicken from the store.) It has all the flavors of summer, with a southwestern flair – cilantro, red peppers,…
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255As apple picking season approaches, I’m reminded of this all time family favorite cake. My sister has been making a version of this cake for as long as I can remember. It’s often referred to as “Jewish Apple Cake” (probably due to the fact that the recipe i…
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256I found this recipe in the King Arthur Whole Grain Baking book. Not only are these muffins moist and delicious, they are also pretty healthy. If you’re not into the chocolate/banana combo – just substitute some toasted walnuts or pecans for the chips. Downl…
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257This is a great dessert when you’re making dinner for two. You’ll need two 4 ½” springform pans which you can find on Amazon - http://amzn.to/bUo301 . An instant read thermometer helps prevent over-baking.
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258I like to make a bunch of these ahead of time and keep the “straws” in the freezer until I need them. They make a great appetizer or serve them with your favorite pasta recipe.
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259Culinary historians have traced the first cake “brownie” to the 1906 edition of The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book , edited by Fannie Merritt Farmer. This recipe is an early, less rich and chocolaty version of the brownie we know today, utilizing two squar…
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260My friend Rosie asked for Coconut Cupcakes for her birthday and I was happy to oblige. This is an easy recipe, and delivers a moist, tender cupcake. Processing the coconut with the flour adds great coconut flavor to the cupcakes.
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261This is a really quick and easy dessert for two. You can substitute blackberries or peaches, or do a combination. Download Fresh Blueberry Crisp for Two
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262Bran Muffins always fall under the “healthy” category, but it doesn’t mean that they can’t taste great too. They’re one of my Dad’s favorite muffin and for years, the “go to” recipe was from the box of Bran cereal. I decided it was time for an updated recip…
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263"Anadama bread dates in print to 1915, but is probably somewhat older. If it were not for the frequency of their citation, it would be difficult to believe the story most often cited is of a Gloucester, Massachusetts, fisherman's wife named Anna, who gave h…
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264These delicious, quick to make muffins are based on a recipe for “Nutmeg Muffins” in Marion Cunningham’s The Breakfast Book . They are tender, moist and fragrant – be sure to use freshly grated nutmeg for the best flavor. The cinnamon sugar topping gives th…
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