The Famous French Onion Soup Dumplings
This is the dish that made Chris Santos famous. The longtime judge on CHOPPED is known for his playful takes on culinary classics, and I was honored to work with him on his first cookbook, SHARE. These morsels are inspired by Chinese soup dumplings, but Chris gives them French flair. Be sure to read the Note at the end of the recipe about the dumpling yield.
Tommy Bahama’s Famous Piña Colada Cake
More than baked ham, more than roast lamb, my must-have Easter dinner tradition is coconut layer cake. Its annual appearance on our holiday table goes back to my childhood.
Lemon Meringue Cake
This cake is NOT fast and easy, but if you are an experienced baker, it will not hold any surprises. In fact, you will be rewarded with a great all-purpose yellow cake recipe and one of the simplest and best lemon curds in my collection.
From-Scratch Green Bean and Mushroom Casserole
I belong to a Facebook group of cookbook lovers. Recently, someone there started a post about making green bean casserole–the familiar one made with cream of mushroom soup. There were over a hundred comments in the thread, proving how this dish has become part of the American cook’s vernacular. For my part, I am a […]
Sarabeth’s Stollen
Sarabeth Levine is known as the Grande Dame of Manhattan bakers. I was lucky enough to work with her on her first cookbook, SARABETH’S BAKERY: FROM MY HANDS TO YOURS, which quickly established itself as a must-have for anyone who wants to learn how to bake her famous specialties. One of the many baked goods that no one bakery makes better is her holiday stollen, a buttery sweet bread studded with rum-soaked raisins, dried fruits, and nuts.
Pancetta-Wrapped Roast Pork with Blackberry Sage Sauce
For a guy who has created hundreds (if not thousands…it’s true!) recipes over the years, it is difficult to choose my favorite recipes. But, this roast pork is up at the top of the list. It is absolutely perfect for the holidays. The roast can be wrapped in the pancetta a day ahead and roasted just before dinner, and the pan deglazed with the pre-made sweet and savory sauce.
Herb-Brined Turkey with Make-Ahead Gravy
Brined turkey first made a splash a few years ago in the pages of Cook’s Illustrated, thanks to a recipe in Jean Anderson ‘s The Food of Portugal (with a few tips from kosher butchers along the way). The brining concept fooled many cooks into thinking that their turkey was juicier, and a new favorite turkey […]
Thanksgiving Meatless Mincemeat Pie
A simmering pot of mincemeat announces the holiday season with its heady, spicy aroma, but this one is meat-less. The suet and beef from the old recipes are gone, and the fruit flavor has been increased with apple juice concentrate, which also acts as a sweetener. A
The Infamous Macaroni and Cheese
The recipe based on one from Comfort Foods, a book that I loved writing. If you are wondering what the chunky brown thing is in the photo, it is a sauteed mushroom–a good addition to the dish if you happen to have them around.