Author: J.M. Hirsch
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It’s time to move pasta beyond the side salad this summer
Aside from the occasional pasta salad, America’s favorite carb often takes a vacation during summer. It’s probably because we tend to associate it more with winter- friendly heavy and hot sauces. But pasta doesn’t have to be relegated to the salad bar when the heat is on, particularly since it’s one of the fastest and…
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Shrimp and quinoa combine for an easy, robust summer salad
The secret to a hearty summer dinner salad? You’ve got to stick with ingredients that come together in little time. Because while I want my dinner salads to be robust and filling, I don’t want them to take a lot of time to prep. One of the greater joys of summer is getting dinner on…
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These are the vinegars you need to finish the dish right
Sometimes a salad or meat sizzling off the grill – and frequently a cocktail – needs that special something to tie it all together. When searching for that something, American home cooks frequently overlook one of the better and more ubiquitous choices: vinegars. The sharp acidity and natural sweetness of vinegars – not to mention…
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Stuff it! Avocados, that is. Stuff them with a quick chili
There’s no real shocker here – avocado pairs delightfully with a rich and meaty chili. But I decided to pair them in a fresh way that is ideal for summer grilling season. Rather than simply whip up a pot of chili and scatter some diced avocado over it, I decided to spoon mounds of chili…
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Man enough to get into the kitchen? These books aim to help
Unmanly men need not apply. Or maybe I’m being overly sensitive. Because just in time for Father’s Day, there’s a whole crop of new cookbooks aimed at guys, and I don’t feel nearly manly enough to cook from them. I suspect that’s kind of the point. Not to make me feel badly, but rather to…
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Food processor turns falafel into an easy weeknight meal
Falafel is one of those easy weeknight meals I rarely think to make, but when I do I feel like a dolt for not doing it more often. That’s because falafel – pan-fried patties made from chickpeas, onions and a mess of delicious seasonings – are healthy, speedy and versatile. They can be served any…
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Three new barbecue books will help you get your grill geek on
With grilling season solidly upon us, let’s all take a moment to reflect on the various ways we send our food to the fire. There is, of course, Monday through Friday grilling. This is when the intense heat of the grill helps us along that painful march to what we call “weeknight dinner.” This is…
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Dill and butter? Dull. Take carrots to a robust new level
Butter and dill are lovely on roasted carrots, but this spring I wanted something more robust. Because let’s face it, spring and early summer have a tendency to smack you with cool, wet weather when you least expect it – and when you most desire sun and heat. Which is why the delicate flavors of…
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Real comfort and love on Mother’s Day comes as carbs and fat
If you really want to show Mom how much you care on Mother’s Day, the recipe is pretty simple – carbs and fat. After all, it’s what the rest of us crave on special days. So why fuss with breakfast in bed (which inevitably spills, anyway), when you could embrace the fatty-carby formula that is…
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A warm chicken curry dinner for a cool, wet spring evening
A warm curry for a cool spring evening? Sounds about right. This weeknight-friendly chicken curry – rich with spices and coconut milk – is a perfect choice on a chilly, wet spring night. Warm seasonings and buttery roasted potatoes round out the dish that comes together in only 35 minutes. The food processor makes fast…