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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97Sweet summer strawberries at their peak flavor combine with the buttery creaminess of ripe avocados to deliver one stunning salad. Just toss it all together with a simple lemon vinaigrette for a great seasonal salad.
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98Hummus makes a great appetizer to keep on hand and has a wide variety of uses. It’s perfect as a dip with pita chips or veggies, great as a spread on sandwiches and wraps, or as a side dish with grilled chicken or lamb kabobs. The popularity of this Middle…
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99Spring is the perfect time of year to serve fresh asparagus and one great method for cooking is an indoor grill pan. I generally prefer the thin stalks for steaming and fat stalks for grilling, but use whatever you want – fat, thin, green or white. Look for…
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100I’ve been experimenting lately with some new “healthier” recipes. With a little less flour and sugar in my life, I’ve been looking for recipes that are nutritious, tasty, and help ward off cravings for foods that I’m trying to avoid. This hearty “faux meatl…
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101This is a simple, hearty, delicious vegetable soup. Reminiscent of a Tuscan bean soup, it’s packed with flavor and incredibly satisfying. To keep it vegetarian, just omit the pancetta, and use vegetable stock. I like to stir in a little brown rice into the…
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102Roasting broccoli is probably my favorite method – it’s quick and easy to prepare. High heat roasting enhances the natural sweet and nutty flavor while creating a beautiful brown, caramelized exterior. People seem to either love or hate broccoli, which is a…
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103There are many stories regarding the history of Hot Cross Buns. One interesting one comes from Alan Davidson's "The Oxford Companion to Food". He says that the Saxon invaders in Britain chomped on buns adorned with impressions of crosses in honor of the pag…
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104Many recipes for brown rice can require special equipment (like a rice cooker) or time consuming stovetop methods that are not always foolproof. This recipe for baked brown rice is perfect every time and eliminates the risk of poorly cooked rice. While whit…
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105Corn muffins are so versatile, but many can turn out dry and tasteless. The sour cream in this recipe keeps them moist and tender every time. They’re perfect in the morning with some homemade jam, or serve them at dinner with Chili Con Carne or Chicken Tort…
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106Chicken Tortilla Soup is a great choice during the winter months – hearty and packed with flavor with just enough heat to warm you on the coldest days. Using a store bought rotisserie chicken makes it quick to make, so it’s great for a weeknight meal. On a…
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107This is a fast and easy make ahead cocktail that tastes great and can be made in large batches. When I first saw the recipe I was a little skeptical, but it was a big hit at a recent party. It’s not overly sweet and reminds me of the Margaritas that you fin…
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108Mince pie seems to have fallen out of favor in the U.S., although it was once the quintessential American pie - much more popular than apple or cherry, and in the 19th century Americans ate mince pies all through the year - for breakfast, lunch and dinner.…
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109When I growing up my Dad often had a bag of Keebler’s Pecan Sandies stashed away in an upper cupboard, reserved for when he was craving a crunchy cookie with hot cup of coffee. Unfortunately for him, the kids usually managed to find the bag and polish off w…
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110Roast Chicken is one of the simplest things to make, and when done correctly, becomes an all time home comfort food favorite. I find that Kosher chickens are the most flavorful and juicy, particularly Empire Kosher Chickens ( http://www.empirekosher.com/ ).…
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111It’s hard to believe summer is nearly behind us, and as apple picking season approaches, I’m reminded of this all-time family favorite cake. My sister Ann has been making a version of this cake for as long as I can remember. It’s often referred to as “Jewis…
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112This is a great way to use up zucchini from your garden and is an easy recipe for vegetarians. I made it recently for lunch, but it would also make a great first course for dinner. This will serve two as a main course, or four as an appetizer. You can easil…
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113It’s hard to believe that we’re already approaching Labor Day weekend – the summer just flew by. According to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), Labor Day is one of the most popular holidays for barbecuing - after 4th of July and Memorial Day.…
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114This is delicious summertime pasta and works well on its own, or with your favorite Barbecued Chicken or Grilled Fish. I’ve got tons of basil growing in the garden and this is a great way to use it. The addition of mayonnaise helps keep the pesto from separ…
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115This is a fantastic recipe that makes great use of fresh summer peaches. Cobbler is a classic summer dessert and just about as American as Apple Pie. The clever folks at Cook’s Country have mastered a method that prevents the cobbler from sitting in too muc…
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116Mojitos make a great summer cocktail – refreshing citrus and mint hit the spot on a hot summer day. I always have a ton of mint growing in pots (it spreads like crazy), and this is a perfect way to use it up. The best version involves a little advance prep…
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117Summer barbecues just aren’t complete without this classic side dish. Everyone has a favorite version, and when I’m looking for an authentic home cooked version, this is my recipe of choice. As a kid, I was pretty fussy about what was in it, and my mother w…
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118This is a classic moist fudgy brownie enhanced with Amaretto and almonds, but you could also make them with hazelnuts and substitute Frangelico for the Amaretto. They work best in a 9” square pan so make sure to check the size of your pan. Perfect to take t…
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119Nothing beats fresh tomato sauce made with your own (or someone else’s) garden tomatoes. The few simple ingredients combine to make a truly delicious and authentic pasta sauce. This recipe can easily be doubled if you have an abundance of tomatoes, and it f…
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120If you’re looking for a more sophisticated dessert for your next dinner party, try this Austrian classic. America’s Test Kitchen updated the recipe and it’s pretty easy to do. I made it recently for a small dinner party and was able to prepare it in the mor…
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