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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
This vibrant, flavor-packed dish is perfect for easy entertaining or effortless weeknight dinners. Juicy, marinated chicken roasts atop a bed of colorful vegetables—artichokes, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and lemon slices—infused with briny capers and fresh…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I’ve been making banana bread since I was a kid. My first recipe came from a local PTA cookbook, and over the years, I’ve tried many versions. For a long time, my go-to was a Martha Stewart recipe that added sour cream for extra richness. Then in 2018, King…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This charming six-inch carrot cake is ideal for small celebrations or intimate gatherings. Moist and full of classic carrot cake flavor, it's perfectly balanced by a rich, not-too-sweet cream cheese frosting. Whether you're serving two with leftovers, slici…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This is one of my favorite recipes from Test Kitchen. IT’s got the perfect balance and tar lime and sweetness. You can use the suggested whipped cream or substitute a meringue topping.
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Spain · Baking
The first written record of this cake is from 1577 and is thought to have originated in wealthy households in the 16th and 17th centuries in Galicia, Spain when families wanted to incorporate exotic ingredients like almonds and sugar into their cuisine. It…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I tried this recipe from Milk Street last year and it was a big hit at Thanksgiving. Using a tart pan produces an elegant presentation for traditional pumpkin pie. They started with their fuss-free pie dough, made easily in the food processor, and it can be…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This is probably my most requested cake and after trying it, you'll understand why! It's an easy recipe, but it's worth finding the best Dutch processed cocoa powder. It's terrific with fluffy vanilla buttercream (we call it a tuxedo cake) or for chocolate…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This frosting may be made with milk, semisweet, or bittersweet chocolate. Cool the chocolate to between 85 and 100 degrees before adding it to the butter mixture.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
One of my favorite summer strawberry recipes from Cooks Country magazine. The recipe comes together in stages, starting with a traditional graham cracker crust, a creamy cheesecake center, and a mousse-like strawberry topping resulting in a light, delicious…
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Italy · Baking
This easy to make, rustic cake is an ideal way to showcase summer-ripe plums or apricots (or pluots, a plum-apricot hybrid) Try to choose ripe, medium plums that still have a little firmness as soft juicy fruits will make the center of the cake soggy. Itali…
Read recipeNew England · Baking
I watched Milk Street’s resident baking expert Rose Hattabaugh make this tart on their Facebook page and knew that I had to try it. Super-fast and easy to throw together (thanks to the “press-in” tart crust) this is great for a last-minute dessert. They str…
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France · Baking
Pain d’épices is a French spice cake (or quick bread) that is well-known as a Christmas time pastry in the northeast of France, especially in the regions of Dijon, Alsace, and Reims. It’s a classic French recipe that’s easy to make and doesn’t require a mix…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Sometimes a half dozen is just enough, and this recipe works well in my Breville Toaster oven. They come together quickly and ideal for using up overripe bananas. Perfectly domed because of the extra baking powder and higher than normal oven temperature, th…
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
This is a super-fast spicy, creamy, and cheesy short cut recipe that epitomizes comfort food. It can easily be doubled or even tripled depending on the number of people you are serving. This version generally serves 4 generous portions. Serve with rice and…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This cake is so delicious, always a hit with friends and no one can tell that it’s a reduced sugar recipe. It’s one of the many fantastic recipes found in from America’s Test Kitchen cookbooks called Naturally Sweet. Sucanat is not found in many grocery sto…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Galettes, also known as free form tarts, are less fussy that traditional fluted edge tarts. They can be sweet or savory, and the crust is crisp, butter, and rustic in appearance. I first saw this recipe in the April / May 2021 “Strawberry Celebration” issue…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I’m always hesitant to try recipes that claim to be healthier versions of classic desserts, but this one is a winner. Perfect balance of sweet and tart, with a crisp graham cracker crust. It is from the cookbook Naturally Sweet , which has over a hundred re…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This is one of my all-time favorite loaf cakes (aka tea bread) that I first discovered at Tartine Bakery in LA. It is dense, moist, tender, and delicious; it’s often sold out at the bakery which is not surprising because it’s just so good! Acclaimed pastry…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This recipe is adapted from one in America’s Test Kitchen magazine called “ Nutritious Delicious” and it delivers perfectly moist, tender, and flavorful blueberry muffins.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I first saw this version of Spice Bundt cake in Maida Heatter's Book of Great American Desserts . Maida was known as the “Queen of Cake” and lived to the age of 102; if you’re not familiar with her recipes, I highly recommend seeking out one of her cookbook…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Pecan pie is always a favorite around Thanksgiving and the holidays, and this is a great alternative to a traditional pie recipe. It still has the rich caramel flavor, but the crisp, buttery crust is enhanced with ground pecans and the filling has notes of…
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Italy · Baking
Pasticceria Gollini in Vignola, Italy, not far from Modena, is home to a much-celebrated flourless chocolate cake known as torta Barozzi. Created in 1886 by pastry chef Eugenio Gollini and named for Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola, a 16th-century architect, this…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Sometimes a single layer cake is all you need for a small gathering, and they can look just as festive as a traditional layer cake. This cake is light, tender, and the banana flavor is enhanced with sour cream and lemon. I use cream cheese frosting on this…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
A few years ago, I was lucky enough to spend some time with friends in Israel during the Purim holiday, and one of the many highlights was exploring Jerusalem’s Machane Yehuda Market, often referred to as "The Shuk". It is the largest market in Jerusalem wi…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This "perfect" recipe is from the December / January 2009 issue of Cook’s Country magazine, and they really are spectacular. I’ve added an easy recipe for strawberry butter, because if you’ve had had the popovers at Neiman Marcus, you know that is how they…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
When I saw this posted on America’s Test Kitchen's Instagram , I knew I had to try it. It is a perfect holiday dessert, with all the traditional flavor of eggnog baked into a rich and creamy custard pie. The whipped cream is unique and particularly deliciou…
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James's home kitchen · Dinner
Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) is an enormously popular dish that you will find served in practically every Indian restaurant around the world. Tender chicken in a rich and creamy sauce with bold flavors that are vibrant and complex. This recipe from Cook’s…
Read recipeJames’s home kitchen · Baking
I found this recipe in the September/October 2020 issue of Bake From Scratch . If you’re not familiar with the magazine, I highly recommend it, the recipes are innovative, delicious, and well tested, and this one is no exception. Made with a simple pound ca…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Not only is this a great fall cake recipe, but it’s also perfect for Rosh Hashanah. Baked with traditional ingredients of apple and honey, this moist bundt cake is a great way to celebrate the Jewish New Year.
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France · Baking
I’m always searching for a great recipe for lemon pound cake, or tea bread, the kind I remember having in Paris, moist but light, and loaded with lemon flavor. This might be the best one I’ve tried, which I discovered on an episode of Milk Street TV called…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Peach cobbler is a timeless summer dessert that is easy to throw together and this recipe makes just enough for two generous portions. I think this dessert is best made with fresh peaches at the peak of the season, but frozen peaches will work in a pinch. S…
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James’s home kitchen · Breakfast
These pancakes might be my favorite – fluffy, tender, flavorful, satisfying, and somewhat healthier than most recipes. It is from a great cookbook called Nutritious Delicious (currently on sale at America’s Test Kitchen !) which features a collection of “br…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Fool is a popular British dessert that is similar to Eton Mess but without the crumbled meringue shells. It is super easy to throw together – any combination of berries and cream will work, but they look particularly festive in tall stemmed glasses. This ve…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
If you’re a fan of The Great British Baking Show, you may remember this recipe from an episode where the bakers are challenged by Mary Berry to make a Bakewell Tart , an English confection consisting of a short pastry shell beneath layers of jam, frangipane…
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
I’ve seen this recipe posted so often recently, with rave reviews, that I decided I’d better make it and see for myself. One bite of this crispy, crunchy, cheesy pizza and you will understand why it is King Arthur Flour’s recipe of the year . It’s similar t…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Most people love big chewy oatmeal cookies, but I’m partial to this thin, crispy, buttery version from America’s Test Kitchen’s The Perfect Cookie - They stay crisp for days in a sealed container, or you can freeze them and enjoy whenever you’re in the mood…
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
Comfort food at its best, this recipe comes from a 2014 fall issue of Cook’s Country magazine. The beef comes out tender and the meaty filling is rich and delicious, perfect for a weekend supper.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
From the brilliant folks at America’s Test Kitchen, they describe these cookies as “chewy, crunchy, salty, and sweet. The addition of crushed pretzel sticks and crunchy peanut butter give the cookies a unique and satisfying texture, and if you are a fan of…
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James’s home kitchen · Soups
Scaled down recipes can be very handy, especially for dishes that taste best the day they are made. If you’re looking for something easy, comforting and delicious, this chicken and dumplings recipe is one of the best. *Note: Make the dumplings just before a…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This retro recipe from the 70’s was regularly printed on the back of a Duncan Hines yellow cake mix box. You can still make it with a yellow cake mix, but it’s important to add a few extra ingredients to give it a more “from scratch” taste. Sour cream, toas…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I posted this vintage recipe 9 years ago, and thought it was worth re-posting in case you are running low on eggs, or just trying to conserve. This moist chocolate cake was popular during the Great Depression, when people had limited access to eggs and oil.…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
If you’re looking for a refreshing summer treat that big on flavor and low on sugar -this recipe is for you. America’s Test Kitchen has a wonderful cookbook called Naturally Sweet that is loaded with innovative desserts with 50% less sugar. This banana ice…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
After a long winter, where even Southern California has had its share of cold temperatures, it’s nice to transition to brighter, fresher, springtime recipes. Pavlova is a perfect example - light, airy, elegant – it’s a whimsical dessert that combines crisp…
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James's home kitchen · Appetizers
Years ago my friend Robert’s mother was visiting from Mexico and taught me how to make her famous fruit filled guacamole ( Anita Kass Guacamole recipe ), but it came with a warning, “don’t make this if you’re going to use store bought tortilla chips” – they…
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
A modern twist on a comfort food classic. The incredibly delicious pureed cauliflower mash is rich, creamy, pairs perfectly with the flavorful sauce and ground turkey. Another winning recipe from America’s Test Kitchen’s Super Foods magazine
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James's home kitchen · Dinner
I found this recipe in the October / November 2018 issue of Cooks Country Magazine (loaded with great fall recipes) and it is a perfect winter comfort dish, that will satisfy any craving for Mexican food. The flavors will remind you of Enchiladas Verdes and…
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James’s home kitchen · Breakfast
Pancakes are traditionally an indulgent weekend option, but often are made with simple carbs that leave you feeling hungry in no time. I’ve tried a few multi-grain “healthy” recipes, but the pancakes were typically heavy and dense. I found this recipe in an…
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France · Dinner
I saw this recipe pop up on Cook’s Country Instagram feed and knew I had to try it. I love recipes that require little advance prep, use just a handful of ingredients and yet manage to deliver impressive and delicious results. As with all of CC’s recipes, t…
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James’s home kitchen · Breakfast
As with most recipes from Cook’s Illustrated, these are fool proof pancakes that are super easy to prepare. I sometimes cut the recipe in half for just two people, or you can refrigerate leftover better in a sealed container, and make a few more the next da…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Delicious muffin recipe from Cook’s Country magazine that is perfect to make around the holidays. Ground ginger and crystallized ginger pack these moist and tender muffins with great flavor. I substituted Saco Buttermilk powder and water for the buttermilk…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This recipe for "New York-Style Crumb Cake" from Cook's Illustrated reminded me of my years in NYC where you could find big squares of thick crumb coffee cake in nearly every corner deli. It's also reminiscent of Drake's Coffee Cakes - a primarily east coas…
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James’s home kitchen · Recipes
This is a great alternative to the traditional pineapple version, and a perfect recipe to try during peak peach season. I found this recipe in Cook’s Country magazine (Aug/Sep 2016) and they developed the cake recipe using a little toasted cornmeal which ad…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This is a great option when you need a dessert for a large group. Using store bought pie crust is a nice shortcut, and though I usually prefer homemade, this Cook’s Country version “doctors up” the dough with crushed animal crackers and melted butter, which…
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James’s home kitchen · Recipes
Even if you don’t follow a gluten-free diet, this recipe is worth trying and is guaranteed to satisfy. Tender and moist, the muffins have a slightly tropical flavor thanks to coconut sugar and flour.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
There are hundreds of recipes for chocolate chip cookies – thin, thick, crisp, chewy, with nuts and without – but this happens to be one of my favorites. Years ago my friend Scott took me to Kathleen’s Bake Shop in Southampton, now known as Tate’s , where I…
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James’s home kitchen · Appetizers
“Impossible Pie” was a recipe most often found on the back of Bisquick boxes. I don’t think I ever made one, but the idea intrigued me. I stumbled on a recipe in Cooks Country Magazine (February/March 2013 issue) which, as usual, they had improved greatly.…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
These are wonderful little cookies to serve with tea, or as an after dinner treat with a nice wine. I found the recipe in America’s Test Kitchen’s new Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook and thought they sounded easy and original. Use high quality olive oil h…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
For the best banana flavor, make sure to use very dark, very ripe bananas. This bread is super moist and is great toasted and spread with a little cream cheese or almond butter.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
If you're a fan of fudgy, dark chocolate brownies, then you’ll love these cookies. Extremely moist and incredibly rich, these cookies pack a wallop of flavor. The powdered sugar gives them a festive holiday look but they are great any time of the year.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Thanksgiving is nearly upon us, so it’s time to start mastering one of this holiday’s classic desserts. There are tons of pumpkin pie recipes, and in November all of the food shows and magazines are filled with both classic and innovative recipes. I’ve trie…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
America’s Test Kitchen recently published a new cookbook called Naturally Sweet ( available here ) which features classic desserts and baked goods using recipes that rely only on natural, less-processed sweeteners like Sucanat (unrefined cane sugar), coconu…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Trifles are such an easy dessert to throw together and great to serve during the summer when berries are at their peak. This version has a few extra steps, but makes a festive presentation for the 4 th of July.
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James’s home kitchen · Salads
This is a bright colorful spring/summer salad that packs flavor and nutrition in every bite. Thanks to fresh veggies, citrus and quinoa, it’s loaded with vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber, folate, iron and lutein. Quinoa, with its high protein content, nutty flav…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This colorful tart has all the flavors of summer – ripe red tomatoes, bright green zucchini, and lots of aromatic basil atop a three cheese filling. And you don’t need the skills of Julia Child to make this recipe – a foolproof “press-in” tart crust from Co…
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
This is a great recipe that certainly warrants spending a little extra on high quality beef (friends in NYC should head to Lobel’s ) and it’s perfect for a special occasion dinner at home. Rather than just sprinkle pepper over the steaks, the team at Cook’s…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Matzo (or matzoh or matzah) is the perfect crunchy, flaky base for a thin coating of buttery caramel, melted chocolate and a sprinkling of chopped nuts salt. It’s an addictive treat that’s perfect for Passover. Matzo is unleavened bread that first appeared…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Linzer cookies are based on the famous Linzertorte - a delicious tart made using a rich buttery dough with ground nuts, lemon zest, and cinnamon. It is one of the oldest known tart recipes, discovered in an Austrian abbey that dates back to 1653. The tart i…
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James’s home kitchen · Appetizers
I think homemade gifts are always appropriate, especially around the holidays. Baked goods, like cookies or brownies are nice, but can be a challenge, because they often need to baked, wrapped, delivered and consumed within 48 hours. Nuts on the other hand,…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
It may sound a little cliché, but many of my California friends are vegetarian or vegan and it can often be a challenge to prepare a menu that still tastes great for everyone. I’ve managed to come up with a few winning main course recipes – like hearty vegg…
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Ireland · Baking
March is the perfect time to bake a traditional Irish Soda Bread and after trying several versions, this one from Cooks Illustrated is a favorite. For a more traditional soda bread, reduce the sugar by half and omit the raisins. If you're in the mood for mo…
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James’s home kitchen · Recipes
This is a delicious fall/winter soup that makes a perfect first course at Thanksgiving. It’s packed with carrot flavor that’s enhanced by a double dose of ginger. Cook’s Illustrated suggested adding fresh carrot juice to enhance the flavor of the soup which…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Now that we’re in the peak of apple picking season, it's time to post one of my favorite apple pie recipes. Some people find making pies a daunting task. There are stories, mostly said in hushed tones, about my mother throwing more than a few pie crusts aga…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This is a great alternative to full fat dairy ice cream. The avocado gives a rich creamy texture and the banana and blueberries add plenty of sweetness and flavor. It tastes best when you allow it to soften a bit on the counter before serving. If you do not…
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James’s home kitchen · Appetizers
Salsa Verde makes a perfect dip during the summer and also adds a refreshing burst of flavor to all type of dishes. It is a great marinade and topping for grilled fish, seafood, chicken, beef, and lamb. Some recipes call for boiling the tomatillos, but roas…
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James’s home kitchen · Sides
Roasting 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
There 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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James’s home kitchen · Recipes
Many 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Corn 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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James's home kitchen · Soups
Chicken 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Mince 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
When 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
It’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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James’s home kitchen · Sides
This 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
If 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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France · Baking
It’s hard not to find great food when visiting Paris, but if you’re looking for a truly authentic French experience, book a reservation at Julien Brasserie ( http://www.julienparis.com/en/ ) on your next visit. Located a bit “out of the way” in the 10 th ar…
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France · Sides
Memorial Day weekend has become synonymous with the beginning of summer and usually celebrated with barbecues, outdoor gatherings, or some kind of pre-summer fun. A great side dish to almost any outdoor menu is potato salad. This version uses a mustard vina…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Devil’s Food Cake is one of the most popular cakes in the United States and has its own day, May 19, which celebrates National Devil’s Food Cake Day. “Devil’s Food” cake is rich, decadent chocolate cake that is generally darker in color than most chocolate…
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James's home kitchen · Breakfast
When I was growing up, the mother of a good friend used to make this every weekend, mostly because of our collective pleading. She would throw it together in minutes and shortly later pull out the most impressive golden brown, billowy pancake that seemed sc…
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France · Baking
When I was a student living in Paris, one of my favorite rituals was to treat myself to a tiny lemon tart at a local patisserie after class. There were dozens of shops to choose from along my walk from the Sorbonne to my small apartment near the Place des V…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Apparently the origin of this meringue-based dessert is somewhat unclear, but seems to have been created in honor of Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova’s visit to New Zealand and Australia. The nationality of its creator has been a source of argument betwee…
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James's home kitchen · Breakfast
A friend of mine recently brought me a bag full of grapefruit picked from her tree in Palm Springs. There’s nothing like fresh grapefruit and this recipe takes it to a new festive level. Broiling grapefruit is quick and easy and can be increased to accommod…
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Spain · Baking
Torrijas, a cross between French Toast and bread pudding, can be found throughout the year in Spain, but they are particularly popular for dessert around the Easter holiday. The tradition of reviving stale bread with eggs and milk dates back to Roman times,…
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Ireland · Baking
With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, this is the perfect time of year to bake a traditional Irish Soda Bread. After trying several versions, this one from Cook’s Illustrated is a favorite. For a more traditional soda bread, reduce the sugar by half and…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Red Velvet is popular around Christmas but in the south you will usually find it served all year long. The bright red cake and white creamy frosting make it perfect for Valentine’s Day. Americans spend around $655 million each Valentine's Day on candy, maki…
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
This is one of those recipes reserved for very special occasions - when you’re having a small dinner party and want to make a big impression. You will probably have to ask your butcher to prepare a trimmed, center-cut piece, often known as Chateaubriand, fr…
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France · Baking
This is a classic French cookie, found in almost every patisserie in Paris. They are super easy to make at home with the help of store bought puff pastry. Pepperidge Farm will work, but try find Dufour or Trader Joe’s Artisan puff pastry which I think has a…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
According to their site, Andes Crème de Menthe candies rank as the “number one after-dinner mint” delivering a “smooth blend of mint and chocolate flavors– the perfect post-meal treat”. They are particularly popular during the holidays and easy to find at y…
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James’s home kitchen · Sides
If you’re a fan of sweet potato casserole at Thanksgiving, but are looking for an alternative to ubiquitous marshmallow topping, this is the recipe for you. It’s an easy dish that can be made a day ahead and baked when needed. Make ahead recipes are really…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This is a quick and easy caramel sauce, but be sure to use a 2 quart saucepan, the hot sugar syrup mixture will bubble vigorously (and dangerously), and a small pan could overflow. Despite the slight drama on the stovetop, the sauce is well worth the minor…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Pumpkin is one of my favorite ingredients, especially during the fall months. This is a great cake for friends with October/November birthdays (like me!) It’s also a nice alternative to pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. Feel free to substitute whole wheat or whi…
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
Some nights I just can’t decide what to make for dinner - especially when time is short, and I’m not in the mood for recipes that require lots of prep (and therefore lots of cleanup). This lemon chicken recipe adapted from Ina Garten’s cookbook – How Easy i…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Despite the warm weather we’ve been enjoying in Southern California, a recent trip to my local grocery store reminded me that fall is here – pyramid-like mounds of pumpkins filled the entrance, flanked by bins of apples of every variety. Although apples are…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This is one of my favorite cakes to make for birthdays and special occasions (great for Mother's Day!) The cake is wonderfully moist with a tender, light crumb. The frosting is billowy and not too sweet. Adorn the cake with some fresh berries or surround th…
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Italy · Baking
I love making things that have been reduced to two servings, which is often the perfect amount. These days, I prefer NOT having lots of leftover dessert, so I’m always looking for mini versions of my favorite recipes. This almond cake comes from the 2009 ed…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I love lemon desserts – especially in the Spring and Summer months. The batter separates as it bakes, creating a light sponge cake on top and a creamy pudding on the bottom. Makes a great Easter dessert!
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This rich, moist coffee cake is quick to make and also works well peaches, apricots, and even frozen blueberries.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
When I asked what I could bring for dessert to a recent gathering, my friend told me that her husband loves “anything pumpkin” - particularly healthy recipes - but also a little decadent. Always up for a challenge, I consulted my well-worn copy of Whole Gra…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This is a delicious moist, dark, spicy pumpkin bread. The whole wheat flour not only makes it a healthier choice, but also lends great flavor to the spices. It’s perfect on its own, or you can make “sandwiches” with cream cheese and thinly sliced apples. Th…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
You usually see these cookies during Christmas, but they’re great to give on Valentine’s Day in a festive box. A family friend, the "sweet little old lady" kind, named Ginny Fitzsimmons, shared her recipe with me when I was about 11 years old. I found it th…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
My friend Pat asked me to make some chocolate cupcakes for a gathering at her home. I wanted them to have a little extra flair and started searching recipes. I had recently found one that sounded intriguing in an issue of Cook’s Illustrated that featured a…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I'm reposting this amazing Chocolate Cake recipe in honor of National Chocolate Cake Day. My friend David always requests this "showstopper" when his visits LA. It’s a classic American dessert and the three layers of moist tender chocolate cake slathered in…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
A friend of mine from NYC called the other day to ask which pie bakery I preferred. He had guests from Norway stopping by that afternoon for coffee and wanted to offer them a slice of “American pie”. When he told me a whole pie from a bakeshop would cost an…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I love recipes that don’t require mixers, beaters and lots of bowls. These squares really should be called Date Nut Brownies because of their soft and chewy texture. The combination of dates, nuts and brown sugar make them reminiscent of Sticky Toffee Puddi…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
My friend Pat Loud says that chocolate is ALWAYS the best choice for dessert at a dinner party. What I love about Pots de Crème is that it can be made ahead (up to 3 days) and it packs a great chocolate punch. The satiny texture takes “chocolate pudding” to…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
One of my favorite treats - they're great any time of year.
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James's home kitchen · Baking
It’s that time of year when my kitchen often turns into a cookie factory. Each year I try to come up with a few new treats, as well as tried and true Christmas favorites like – Sugar Cookies , Gingersnaps , Peanut Butter Blossoms , Jam Thumbprints , and Mex…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
A friend of mine called this morning and said she was having 12 people over for dinner and having brisket and potato pancakes. She sounded a tad overwhelmed and I thought that the least I could do is make some festive cupcakes to celebrate Hanukkah. I rarel…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Sticky Buns can often be a challenging and time consuming recipe. Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry makes this recipe fast and easy to throw together. I like the combination of dried cranberries and golden raisins, but currants would also work well. The recipe ea…
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Spain · Baking
These have to be one of the quintessential Christmas cookies. They are known by many names but Mexican Wedding Cookie seems to be the most common. There are several variations of this cookie in many countries – Biscochitos in Mexico (always made with lard),…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Christmas in a cookie! You can roll them in sugar or drizzle them with icing – either way, they’re perfect for the holidays.
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James’s home kitchen · Appetizers
These are always a big hit at parties, so I when I saw this recipe on Cook’s Country I knew I had to try them. The most common method is to use store bought crescent dough or puff pastry, but the crust used here is based on a cream biscuit recipe. You can m…
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James’s home kitchen · Appetizers
These make a great gift and can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks. Do not use salted nuts. Recipe can easily be halved .
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I generally like to make my own cranberry sauce for holiday dinners, but if you happen to have some extra cans of Ocean Spray cranberry sauce in your cupboards, this is a great way to use it up. They muffins are great for winter morning brunch and are incre…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
There are tons of pumpkin pie recipes, and in November all of the food shows and magazines are filled with both classic and innovative recipes. I think I’ve tried all of them – most started with canned pumpkin, and then the ingredients vary - some use heavy…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
My aunt recently told me about a note she found that I sent her nearly 20 years ago. In it, I apparently raved about a maple syrup muffin that I wanted her to try. I had no memory of it but luckily she saved the note which included the recipe and I decided…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I use pumpkin all year long, but it’s especially nice during the autumn months. These muffins are lightly sweetened with brown sugar, and stay very moist. Pumpkin works particularly well with whole wheat and creates a very tender muffin. This recipe also wo…
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New England · Baking
This is the time of year that I look for delicious pumpkin recipes. This is a great version of the classic chocolate Whoopie Pie ( click here for Original Recipe ). The fluffy marshmallow buttercream sandwiches the cinnamon-spiced, tender cakes perfectly.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I just got back from a quick trip to the Big Island in Hawaii where my friend had a plate of individual pineapple upside down cakes waiting on the kitchen table. They were absolutely scrumptious and came from the local Mamane Bakery in Kamuela. I decided to…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups coined the slogan "two great tastes that taste great together" and I completely agree. I made these the other day for a friend who exclaimed, “these are the best ever!” and while that might be a slight exaggeration, I must admit t…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I love rustic or “free-form” tarts. This recipe makes two perfect tarts and can be filled with just about any type of firm fruit – apples, pears, peaches, nectarines or plums – whatever is in season. I used Arrowhead Mills Organic Whole Grain Pastry flour a…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I’ve tried dozens of banana breads but this one has become the standard for the best traditional banana bread. No exotic ingredients, fancy spices, exotic nuts – just good old fashioned dense moist banana bread. I like to make the in 4 mini loaf tins, but i…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
My friend Chris was recently visiting LA and I decided to surprise him with one of his favorites - Banana Cake. He lives in NYC and loves to stop by Billy’s Bakery and pick up a whole Banana cake to take home. They have great homemade baked goods and it’s d…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
In addition to “chewy”, “rich”, and “moist”, you can almost add “healthy” to the list of adjectives for these delicious brownies. The recipe is from one of my favorite baking cookbooks that my sister gave me years ago - King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking:…
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
Traditionally this fish would be cooked in parchment paper, and opened at the table (See NY Times article: "The Envelope Please: Cooking En Papillote " ) but I find the task somewhat tedious and prefer the much easier-to-use aluminum foil. Haddock or Cod wo…
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New England · Baking
NY Style Coffee Cake typically comes with a thick rich crumb topping and one of the most famous brands in Drake’s Coffee Cakes. Newman E. Drake baked his first pound cake in Brooklyn in 1888 and sold them by the slice. Drake’s popularity grew and the Drake’…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This is a traditional tea cake recipe and makes great use of fresh strawberries – you can also use raspberries, blueberries or a combination. You could dust with powdered sugar or make a simple glaze, but I think it’s perfectly fine on its own.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Last year I made a July 4th Trifle ( Trifle Recipe ) but decided to make something a little easier this year. There are countless recipes online for Flag Cakes - but this one from Ina Garten is quite good. She uses an icing that I find to be a little on the…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Also known as Lemon Bars, these sweet, buttery, tart confections are synonymous with summer. They are easy to throw together and transport which makes them perfect to take to barbecues or picnics. I’ve tried numerous variations and I prefer the creamy textu…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I have a couple of fool proof favorite banana bread recipes, but they never seem to translate into a winning muffin. After reading dozens of recipes, I finally settled on one that I found in the Joy of Cooking cookbook. It’s a perfectly tender, lightly swee…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Strawberry Shortcake seemed to always mark the beginning of summer when I was growing up. Although we get strawberries almost year round in California, they always taste best in early summer. We always made our “shortcake” with biscuits. This is a pretty fo…
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France · Dinner
This is a very typical recipe from the Alsace region of France. I made over the weekend for a friend’s mother and she raved about it. Although there are just a few ingredients, it has outstanding flavor - perfect for a Sunday brunch. The secret is slow cook…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This is one of those “crowd pleasing” pie recipes. Everyone loves the creamy banana filling and billowy whipped cream topping.
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James’s home kitchen · Recipes
Years ago, when I was living on Beacon Street in Boston’s Back Bay, I was invited to a rooftop barbecue by my neighbor. Everyone was bringing something, so I thought a pound cake with fresh strawberries would be nice. It was a great party, and the host, who…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I was recently visiting a close friend who lives on a macadamia nut farm in Hawaii. It’s a gorgeous place with sweeping views of lush green terrain and the deep blue Pacific. Each morning I enjoyed fresh papaya and pineapple with a nice piece of freshly bak…
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Sweden · Dinner
My close friends, photographers Chris Makos and Paul Solberg ( http://www.thehiltonbrothers.com/ ) are currently having an incredible time touring Sweden. They sent me this beautiful photo of Swedish meatballs prepared by Chef Tomas Lindh at the Hotel Skepp…
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Sweden · Dinner
My close friends, photographers Chris Makos and Paul Solberg ( http://www.thehiltonbrothers.com/ ) are currently having an incredible time touring Sweden. They sent me this beautiful photo of Swedish meatballs prepared by Chef Tomas Lindh at the Hotel Skepp…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
These are great to make with fresh strawberries, which are just about in season now, but you can use frozen unsweetened as well. The recipe is based on the Sprinkles Cupcakes recipe that aired on the Martha Stewart show. I’ve changed the recipe for the fros…
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James’s home kitchen · Breakfast
This is great for a Mother's Day morning breakfast because you can throw it together the night before. I make two or three pans for big brunch parties. You can vary the fillings – add sausage or bacon, leftover vegetables and feel free to substitute any goo…
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James’s home kitchen · Breakfast
This is great for a Mother's Day morning breakfast because you can throw it together the night before. I make two or three pans for big brunch parties. You can vary the fillings – add sausage or bacon, leftover vegetables and feel free to substitute any goo…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This beautiful cake is easy to make and is infused throughout with natural orange flavor. Not only can you make a great cake, you can also help to fight MS if you order your oranges through Harry & David.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This easy cake from Cooks Illustrated has a bright, fresh, citrus flavor and makes a great springtime dessert especially when served with some fresh berries.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This is a great wholesome, whole grain cookie recipe adapted from Rosie’s Bakery Cookie Book ( http://amzn.to/15M22mP ). It's one of my favorite cookbooks and it filled with wonderful, easy to follow recipes. Rosie’s is a classic bakery in Boston that’s bee…
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James's home kitchen · Dinner
I recently was in NY with a friend who was guest hosting on the Joy Behar show. Rocco DiSpirito was on to promote his best-selling "Now Eat This!" Diet book ( Find it here ). He suggested trying his innovative low calorie recipe for Macaroni & Cheese that u…
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James’s home kitchen · Sides
Sheryl Crow’s new cookbook – If It Makes You Healthy: More Than 100 Delicious Recipes Inspired by the Seasons ( Click here for cookbook )- hits stores this week and is filled with delicious, easy to follow recipes. Sheryl collaborated with personal chef Chu…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Doughnuts were a Sunday tradition in my house. Everyone sitting around the kitchen table, sipping coffee, reading various sections of the paper, (I usually opted for Parade Magazine) and reaching for a doughnut. Sometimes my sister would arrive with a varie…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
For some reason, I recently had a hankering for Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake, a staple in our house when I was growing up. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s a wonderfully moist chocolate cake that was created, according to food legend, by the wife of a Hell…
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
This is a classic dish adapted from the Best Make Ahead Recipes cookbook – one of my favorite books. It’s perfect for dinner parties because you can pop the pre-prepared dish in the oven 20 minutes before serving. Frozen chopped spinach works well, but make…
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Italy · Baking
This traditional Italian cake from Cook’s Illustrated is moist, dense and packed with almonds. It makes an elegant dessert when served with whipped cream or crème fraîche and fresh raspberries that have been tossed in a bit of sugar and Amaretto.
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
This is a great way to prepare filet mignon for an elegant at home dinner. It’s best to have all of the ingredients prepped, measured, and set aside – it makes the recipe much easier to follow. Use a nice Cabernet, there will be plenty leftover to enjoy wit…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Apricot Squares are perfect to make during the winter months when good fresh fruit can be tough to find. They are similar to the Date Nut Bars and Raspberry Squares but the apricot crust is more like shortbread. Feel free to experiment with other dried frui…
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
This is a great comfort food recipe that’s easy to prepare and is a nice change of pace from the traditional chicken pot pie. It reminds me of the recipe for Fish Pie from J. Sheeky’s in London - a great restaurant in the West End. They use a mix of salmon,…
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James’s home kitchen · Appetizers
These chips are great with Homemade Onion Dip ( Click here for recipe ) or any favorite salsa, hummus, or dip. You can also make great Tortilla chips using the same method.
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France · Baking
Chocolate seems to be the universal ingredient for most Valentine’s Day desserts. I think the first authentic chocolate mousse that I tasted was at Chez Toutoune in Paris, a charming little bistro that was tucked away on a tiny street (rue de Pontoise) on t…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I’m always looking for new citrus desserts which I think make a nice finish to a great meal. This recipe from Cooks Country is reminiscent of Key Lime Pie, though milder and much creamier.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
These are delicious on their own, or you can dip the bottoms of each macaroon in melted semi-sweet chocolate and then let them cool on wax paper.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I have at least 5 favorite banana bread recipes – but never tire of trying new variations. Some days I like to make 100% whole wheat bread, other times I will add mini chocolate chips, or lime zest and coconut. America’s Test Kitchen described this recipe a…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Trifles are a festive and elegant dessert, perfect for holiday gatherings.The earliest known use of the name trifle was for a thick cream flavored with sugar, ginger and rosewater, the recipe for which was published in England, 1596, in a book called "The G…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Another classic Christmas cookie - Shortbread is a traditional Scottish dessert that consists of three basic ingredients: flour, sugar, and butter. According to Wikpedia, this cookie resulted from medieval biscuit bread, which was a twice baked, enriched br…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
These incredible cookies graced the cover of Cook’s “Holiday Baking” issue and I couldn’t wait to try the recipe. Similar to shortbread, they are buttery and rich, like a chocolate Lorna Doone. The bittersweet glaze heightens the chocolate indulgence perfec…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Cranberry bread was always a staple in my house around the holidays. The mini loaves make great gifts and they freeze well, so you can make them ahead. Perfect on Christmas morning with some cream cheese and jam.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
If you’re looking for an easy sugar cookie that doesn’t require rolling and cookie cutters – this recipe is for you. Use high quality unsalted butter – like Lurpak or Kerrigold – to achieve the best flavor. The cookies can be rolled in regular sugar, but it…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I made some mini red velvet cupcakes to take to a friend’s Christmas party. I used the recipe that I posted earlier for cupcakes (click - World's Best Red Velvet Cupcakes ) but for this batch, I switched to a rich cream cheese frosting. I sprinkled them wit…
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James’s home kitchen · Appetizers
These spicy little chicken tenders are quick and easy to make and a perfect party appetizer. You can save a little time by using store bought taco seasoning, but it's worth making up a batch of the homemade.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
If you want some holiday aroma in the kitchen, bake up a batch of these muffins. They have great ginger flavor, especially if you use the crystallized ginger topping.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Food historians differ on the origin of this popular cake. This cake is incredibly moist with light cocoa flavor. You vary the amount of cocoa to your own taste; I prefer the full 4 tablespoons which gives the cake a nice crimson red color. In the south, it…
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France · Breakfast
This makes a great weekend breakfast for two. I love anything that I can make ahead and just pop in the oven the next morning. It’s light and fluffy and a breeze to throw together. “Fines herbes”, or fine herbs, are a staple of French cuisine and almost alw…
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Date Nut Bars are rather old fashioned and pretty common in New England bakeries. This is similar to the Raspberry Squares recipe ( click here ) but I’ve added some whole wheat flour and a few spices to compliment the dates. On my drives from Los Angeles to…
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James’s home kitchen · Soups
I recently watched Mark Bittman make this on the Today show and thought it sounded like a great recipe. It’s so easy to throw together because it all cooks in one roasting pan and does not require pureeing. The apples lend a nice sweetness and the sage work…
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James’s home kitchen · Sides
This is a quick and tasty way to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey (also works great with a supermarket rotisserie chicken). You can make homemade biscuits, but the ready-made biscuits make the recipe a breeze to put together. You can serve the pot pie ri…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I saw this recipe in the new holiday issue of Cook’s Illustrated magazine (pick up a copy – it’s full of great recipes) I liked the idea of a thick crumb topping and also liked that it used frozen blueberries – which are much easier to find this time of yea…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
My 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I 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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France · Dinner
Sometimes I forget how much I like a good pot roast. Perfect for a Sunday dinner especially in the fall and winter months. This dish is somewhere between a beef stew and a Boeuf Bourguignon and is best served with potatoes or buttered noodles.
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
Boneless 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Carrot 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
What’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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Cinnamon 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
These 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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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
This 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This 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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James’s home kitchen · Breakfast
My 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
As 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Culinary 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
My 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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France · Dinner
I was recently in St Petersburg Russia and had a great lunch at Tsar Restaurant (note: avoid bottled water, each one cost $25). I decided to try the Chicken Kiev, which was pretty common on the restaurant menus in St. Petersburg, and it seemed so “Russian”…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Bran 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
"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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
These 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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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This recipe also works well with fresh raspberries. You can also substitute pistachios, almonds or pecans for the walnuts. It’s a great recipe to make ahead, especially when the summer berries are on sale.
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James’s home kitchen · Appetizers
I've tried crab cakes in most parts of the country, but none taste as good as the ones found in Maryland. They’re known for the large lumps of crab and very little breading, which makes for a spectacular crab cake. Old Bay is a spice staple and key to an au…
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
This intense flavorful rub is great for any type of steak, but I prefer rib eye for barbecuing. This recipe is for indoor cooking, but you can also cook them on a charcoal or gas grill over high heat. Be sure and let the steaks rest before carving – I usual…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I was in Washington DC recently and had a great dinner at BLT (Bistro Laurent Tourondel http://www.bltsteak.com/ ). The food was delicious, but the popovers were particularly memorable. Popovers are great in the morning with some strawberry butter, or you c…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Make this pie when strawberries are at their peak – it’s a perfect summer dessert. Some recipes call for gelatin, but it can make the pie to rubbery. America’s Test Kitchen calls for powdered pectin to thicken the filling which works much better. Measuring…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I clipped this recipe a couple of years ago from the New York Times and never made them until the other day. They are giant cookies, loaded with chocolate, crisp on the edges and chewy in the middle – maybe the best chocolate chip cookie ever…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Chiffon cakes are airy, moist, and delicious. They have an interesting history too. Harry Baker, a Los Angeles insurance agent turned caterer, is credited with the original chiffon cake in 1927. For two decades he carefully guarded his secret recipe, making…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This is my favorite classic cheesecake recipes. It’s a combination of several favorite elements from a variety of sources. I love the buttery crunch of Lorna Doone cookies, but feel free to use the traditional graham crackers. I think the mascarpone cheese…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Spiced Apple Walnut Muffins Download Spiced Apple Walnut Muffins Recipe
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
These biscuits are perfect for an indulgent weekend breakfast. Serve them with scrambled eggs, your favorite frittata, or make mini sandwiches with leftover ham and cheddar cheese. Saco powdered buttermilk works well in this recipe, but make sure that the w…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This old fashioned coffee cake can be made with any favorite fruit, including berries or thinly thiced apples, peaches, or pears. It’s a recipe that I’ve used since I first found it while thumbing through an old spiral bound Better Homes and Gardens cookboo…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
My sister has been making zucchini bread for as long as I can remember – and it’s always been a favorite quick bread, especially in the summer. It’s a great way to use up overgrown zucchini from the garden. The pineapple adds some nice flavor and makes a ni…
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James’s home kitchen · Appetizers
This is a quick and easy recipe for fish – and it’s great for kids – reminiscent of the ever popular chicken fingers.
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James’s home kitchen · Sides
It’s important that the potatoes are sliced very thin, no more than 1/8” thick. I use a mandoline, but you can also use your food processor with the blade attachment. These are great to serve on Easter with a glazed ham or a leg of lamb.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I was rifling through a stack of magazines next to my desk, trying to determine what I could finally throw out, when I came across the year end issue of America’s Test Kitchen Best Recipes and Reviews 2009 . Somehow, I hadn’t had time to look through it, so…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Hamantaschen are a triangular-shaped cookie made to commemorate the Jewish celebration of Purim. and are traditionally stuffed with sweet fillings made of poppy seeds, dried fruits, or fruit preserves
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
There’s nothing like a tender flaky scone, especially when it’s lathered in English Double cream and jam. I’ve tried a variety of recipes but I prefer the method described Cook’s Illustrated. Feel free to substitute any dried fruit for the currants.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
A very close friend of mine has a beautiful Macadamia nut farm on the Big Island in Hawaii, so I’m always trying recipes with “mac nuts”. The first time I visited, I had visions of eating handfuls of fresh macadamia nuts straight from the trees, but it turn…
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James’s home kitchen · Soups
You usually see this around Thanksgiving – it makes a great first course – but it’s also perfect on a cold winter day. I think the most impressed I’ve ever been with this soup was the first time I had it at Spago’s in Beverly Hills. Wolfgang Puck serves his…
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New England · Baking
I'll always love the original Chocolate Whoopie Pie, but you can find countless versions on the web for Pumpkin, Ginger, Red Velvet, Lemon, Banana, and many more creative Whoopie Pies. The next time you're in the mood for a cupcake, give this "cousin" a try…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I had lunch recently at Gjelina ( http://www.gjelina.com ) on Abbot Kinney in Venice, CA. I suppose it falls under the category of “trendy”, but I love the combination of good food and great people-watching, so I always look forward to having a bite there.…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This is the perfect indulgence for the cheesecake AND chocolate lover. I used to buy them at Rosie’s Bakery in Boston and adapted this recipe from “Rosie's Bakery All-Butter, Fresh Cream, Sugar-Packed, No-Holds-Barred Baking Book.”
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France · Baking
This is one of my favorite tarts - very lemony, with a rich creamy filling. Paul Bocuse’s “Simple French Recipes for the Home Chef” calls for crème fraiche, but I find the heavy cream works just as well. This is the perfect finish to a great dinner.
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France · Baking
This is one of my favorite French tarts. Most of it can be made ahead, so it’s great when you’re having guests, because it can be baked several hours before serving. This is a classic recipe that can be found in numerous cookbooks. In Julia Child’s Masterin…
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France · Soups
This is one of my favorite soups – and unless you’re in France, it’s best to make it at home. Pungent yellow onions work best, and cooking them to a dark caramel color gives the soup depth and color. Tie the parsley and thyme sprigs together with kitchen tw…
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James’s home kitchen · Sides
This is a fast and easy side dish to prepare – a little spicy and a little sweet.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
These delicious and nutritious muffins are from the King Arthur Whole Grain Baking Cookbook - http://bit.ly/8E06Dc . It’s a great resource, and one of the cookbooks that I actually use quite often. Even though they are loaded with ingredients like shredded…
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
This is one of my favorite winter casseroles based on a recipe from The Best Make-Ahead Recipe Cookbook - http://bit.ly/6BfSwv . You can make it in one large 9x13 pan or prepare two 8x8 square pans, and bake one and freeze one for another time. To freeze, w…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
These little doughnuts are best eaten on the same day, in fact, they are best when still warm. You don’t need any special fryer equipment, a simple 4 quart saucepan will work, and they’re so easy to make. I like to use a mini ice cream scoop for form the do…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Every part of the Clementine -- peel, pith, and flesh -- plays a role in this moist almond cake. Each slice has a sophisticated slightly bittersweet marmalade-like flavor, since boiling the Clementines beforehand mellows any bitterness from the skin and pit…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
The trick to great rugelach is making a flaky buttery rich pastry dough. If the dough gathers into a cohesive mass around the blade in the food processor work bowl, you have over-processed it. Make sure to stop processing at the point where the mixture is s…
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James’s home kitchen · Salads
This is a great salad to serve around the holidays when Clementines (Cuties) are in peak season. The green arugula and pistachios, red cranberries, orange cuties, and the white feta make for a festive presentation. The sugared pistachios can be made ahead a…
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
I’ve tried many brisket recipes and this has become a longtime favorite. The method comes from a Cooks Illustrated recipe that requires a few hours of unattended cooking, as well as advance preparation. After cooking, the brisket must stand overnight in the…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
The streusel topping is especially good on these muffins. I often double the recipe and save some in the freezer to use later on Blueberry or Banana Muffins.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
The best of two favorite cookies, baked into a brownie. This recipe is adapted from Martha Stewart’s Christmas Cookbook. Featured as a "holiday treat" on the popular food blog One for the Table www.oneforthetable.com
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
These muffins are a great alternative to pumpkin. You can use cinnamon and nutmeg in place of the spices, but I think allspice and cloves give them a unique flavor. I usually make extra sweet potato for dinner and then make these muffins the next morning.
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
This is a fast and easy dish to prepare and it’s so delicious. The creamy mustard sauce is great on any fish fillet – red snapper, tilapia, grouper. It's one of the recipes featured in Ina Garten's new cookbook "Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics " - http://b…
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James’s home kitchen · Sides
A post Thanksgiving favorite! Tetrazzini is also great with leftover chicken.
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James’s home kitchen · Sides
This recipe is combination of technique and ingredients from Cook’s Illustrated and Joy of Cooking, which I suppose now makes it my own. There are tons of recipes with exotic flavors and ingredients, but if you’re looking for that classic Thanksgiving stuff…
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James’s home kitchen · Sides
This is a great alternative to marshmallow topped sweet potatoes. Cutting the sweet potatoes into slices of even thickness is important in getting them to cook at the same rate. A potato masher will yield slightly lumpy sweet potatoes; a food mill will make…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
These are one of the simplest and most basic rolled cookies - but so delicious. They’re buttery and sweet, with crisp edges and chewy centers.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
These muffins are based on the famous southern Hummingbird Cake – made with banana, pineapples, and coconut. Food historians generally cite Mrs. L.H. Wiggin's recipe published in the February 1978 issue of Southern Living magazine as the first printed refer…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I’ve been making this cheesecake at Thanksgiving for years and it’s always a crowd pleaser. The Whipped cream topping is particularly good with the pumpkin spices; the addition of sour cream gives it a crème fraiche quality.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
These brownies were popular when I was growing up and I saw them being made recently on an episode of Cook’s Country and thought I would give them a try. They were a BIG hit! Toasting the pecans is crucial to the brownie flavor. Using the aluminum foil lini…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This is a quick dessert that’s perfect for two people. Use your favorite apples, I like to use a combo of Granny Smith with Cortland, Macoun, Empire, Macs, or Rome
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This is a delicious moist, dark, spicy pumpkin bread. It’s perfect on its own, or you can make “sandwiches” with cream cheese and thinly sliced apples. The cornmeal gives the bread a great texture.
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James’s home kitchen · Breakfast
Biscuits and gravy is a popular breakfast dish in the South. It consists of buttermilk biscuits covered in thick "country" or "white" gravy made from the drippings of cooked pork sausage, white flour, milk, and often bits of real sausage, bacon, ground beef…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This is a very easy dessert and is made even easier with ready to use Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry. Use a cast iron skillet to ensure that butter and sugar caramelize.
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
I found this recipe in Cooking for Two and thought it sounded quick and tasty. The soft yolk in the fried egg creates a savory sauce with the pasta and parmesan cheese. Read the recipe a couple of times, there are several steps and it all comes together pre…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
These individual soufflés are handy for dinner parties because they can be made ahead and kept in the freezer and baked when needed. Cook’s Illustrated suggests a Mocha alternative by adding one tablespoon of instant coffee powder dissolved in one tablespoo…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I use pumpkin all year long, but it’s especially nice during the autumn months. These muffins are lightly sweetened with brown sugar, and stay very moist. Pumpkin works particularly well with whole wheat and creates a very tender muffin. This recipe also wo…
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New England · Baking
Snickerdoodles are a New England favorite, but the exact origin of the cookie seems to be a mystery. The Joy of Cooking claims that Snickerdoodles are probably German in origin, and that the name is a corruption of the German word Schneckennudeln, which mea…
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Thailand · Baking
My sister called me raving about these muffins that she had found in the Williams-Sonoma “Muffins and Quick Breads” book, so i was excited to test the recipe. They’re not overly sweet and have a nice delicate peanut butter flavor. They’d be great served wit…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
The Alaskan Fudge Company ( http://www.alaskanfudge.com ) is located in beautiful downtown Juneau, Alaska. They claim to have the best fudge in Alaska and after purchasing several boxes to take back to the cruise ship (and having none left to bring home) ,…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Executive Chef Franck Tieban of Holland America’s Westerdam (click to see ship -- Holland America Westerdam ) took time out of his busy day to give me a tour of the ship’s enormous kitchen. Chef Franck is extremely talented and very friendly, and enjoys tal…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Poke Cake was created by Jell-O in 1969 to help increase sales of their product. I saw this recipe on a cooking show a couple of months ago, and they had updated the method to include real strawberries (and less Jell-O) which made the dessert more appealing…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
If you’re looking for a new twist on a classic cookie, this recipe is worth a try. It’s a nice combination of chocolate and oatmeal, slightly crisp on the edges, chewy in the center. Great cookie for chocolate lovers.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Basically a peanut butter cookie topped with a Hershey’s Kiss – but what a winning combination. They became an American cookie jar favorite when Freda Smith entered them in the Pillsbury Bake-Off in 1957 and are still an all time winner.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
I love rustic tarts – they’re so easy to throw together with any seasonal fruit. I usually keep a couple of rounds of dough in the freezer so that I can make these whenever I have extra fruit (or unexpected company!). I like adding some of St. Dalfour Sprea…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Citrus cakes are great in the summer with some fresh berries. This cake stays nicely moist thanks to the sour cream. Using orange juice concentrate gives it a stronger orange flavor, but you can easily make the glaze with freshly squeezed orange juice as well.
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Spain · Baking
Very similar to American French toast, this dish is served for dessert in Spain, especially on Sunday. Chef Sandro di Marco from the Palace Hotel in Madrid
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Spain · Appetizers
The Palace Hotel in Madrid ( www.palacemadrid.com ) has become a home away from home in Spain. I was first introduced to it by artist and photographer Christopher Makos ( http://www.makostudio.com ) who has been staying there for nearly 20 years. On my most…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Strawberry Shortcake seemed to always mark the beginning of summer when I was growing up. Although we get strawberries almost year round in California, they always taste best in early summer. We always made our “shortcake” with biscuits. This is a pretty fo…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Basically a peanut butter oatmeal brownie with melted chocolate chips and peanut butter frosting – what’s not to love! This recipe came from the cook at my elementary school and has been a favorite ever since.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
These are exceptionally delicious peanut butter cookies. Based on a recipe from Cook's Illustrated (I added a little maple syrup to mine) these cookies are slightly crisp on the edge and chewy in the center, and full of flavor with addition of freshly groun…
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James’s home kitchen · Appetizers
When the egg white has been properly beaten, no clear liquid will remain on the bottom of the bowl.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
When I first tried this recipe, I was very skeptical. I didn’t like the idea of instant Jello pudding, but I must admit, it has become my favorite Key Lime Pie. It’s sweet and creamy with just the right amount of tartness.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This is an easy tender cake topped with a nice sugary crunch. You can use raspberries or any fresh juicy berry from your local market. You can substitute fresh buttermilk with Saco powdered buttermilk – following the Saco instructions just add the powder (2…
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James’s home kitchen · Breakfast
Makes about 10 small pancakes (recipe easily doubles). You can sprinkle blueberries (or any favorite fruit, nut, etc) over the pancake just before flipping.
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
Do not overbake these cookies. The edges should be brown but the rest of the cookie should still be very light in color. Parchment makes for easy cookie removal and cleanup, but it’s not a necessity. If you don’t use parchment, let the cookies cool directly…
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
The whole dried chiles are added for appearance, not for flavor, and can be omitted. To fry the chicken, use a Dutch oven or a straight-sided sauté pan (with at least 3-quart capacity); do not use a 12-inch skillet with sloped sides; it will be too small to…
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
If you prefer to cook a smaller 2-pound fillet, ask to have it cut from the thick center of the fillet, not the thin tail end, and begin checking doneness a minute earlier. If you can find only chunky mango chutney, puree it in a mini food processor until s…
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Italy · Baking
Panna Cotta is a heavenly Italian dessert that literally means "cooked cream". This custard-like pudding has a rich flavor and silky smooth texture, in fact, the texture is what this dessert is all about. This is the perfect dinner party dessert as it is ca…
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This recipe is from Cook's Illustrated and I had my doubts when I first saw that it used Vodka. It does however produce a wonderfully flaky crust and because the alcohol adds moistness without aiding in gluten formation. I still prefer a traditional pate br…
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
This is a great alternative to meatloaf made with ground beef - I like to serve it with Mashed Red Bliss Potatoes - http://bit.ly/cjQqcq
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This a great chewy buttery giant oatmeal cookie. By using large size scoops of cookie dough, the centers stay soft and chewy and the edges are nice and crisp. Tart cherries are a welcomed change to traditional raisins, and complement the dark chocolate perf…
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
This dish is best when prepared with whole-milk yogurt, but low-fat yogurt can be substituted. For a spicier dish, do not remove the ribs and seeds from the chile. If you prefer, substitute 2 teaspoons ground coriander, 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom, 1/4 tea…
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James’s home kitchen · Dinner
Homemade Baked Macaroni & Cheese Download Baked Macaroni and Cheese
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James’s home kitchen · Baking
This frosting may be made with milk, semisweet, or bittersweet chocolate. Cool the chocolate to between 85 and 100 degrees before adding it to the butter mixture.
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