From James's kitchen
Tested, annotated, and worth returning to. Browse dependable recipes for everyday cooking, relaxed weekends, and occasions worth sharing.
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73This 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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74This simple, fresh, colorful chopped salad can be found everywhere in Israel, from roadside falafel stands to high end restaurants, and is served for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The variations are endless but the base always includes finely chopped tomatoe…
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75Matzo (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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76Linzer 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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77My sister gave me a great cookbook from Cook’s Illustrated – The Best Skillet Recipes – which I’ve been working my way through. The recipes are always foolproof and are very easy to follow, and this one is no exception. Creamy ricotta and crisp salty prosci…
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78This is an excellent dinner recipe that’s completely satisfying and requires only one pan! I love home cooking but hate all the kitchen cleanup some dishes require. This hearty comfort food can be thrown together fast and requires just a few simple ingredie…
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79I 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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80It 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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81There’s nothing like fresh sweet corn in the summer, especially from a local farm. While eating corn straight from the cob with melted butter is probably the most traditional method, it’s nice to add a few other ingredients to perk things up. Sweet corn pai…
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82With the warmer months approaching, it’s time to start enjoying some spring and summer recipes. In California, strawberry season is in full swing and it is big business here considering the Golden State is the nation's leading producer of strawberries. In 2…
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83This is the perfect time of year to serve fresh asparagus and one great method for cooking is an indoor grill pan. I generally prefer the thin stalks for steaming and fat stalks for grilling, but use whatever you want – fat, thin, green or white. Choose bun…
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84I love hearty spicy chili, especially during the winter months. This one is quick to make with just basic ingredients and guaranteed to warm you up on a cold day. The variety of beans – red kidney, black and pinto – gives the chili a nice “meaty” quality. I…
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85This is a fantastic and easy recipe from my dear friend Pat Loud which was passed down from her mother. She serves it at nearly every party that I’ve ever attended and it’s always a big hit. As with most good recipes, the amounts are somewhat flexible – in…
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86This 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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87Brussels Sprouts seem to be one of those vegetables that you either love or hate, but honestly, when prepared correctly, they’re absolutely delicious. There are numerous ways to fix them – steam, roast, bake – but this recipe uses a raw preparation and a si…
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88Now 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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89This 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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90Barley is a wonderfully versatile grain with a rich nutty flavor and a nice chewy, pasta-like consistency. According to the Whole Grains Council, “barley is highest in fiber of all the whole grains, with common varieties clocking in at about 17% fiber.” It’…
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91So I guess I’m a little late the party, but I’m hooked on almond butter, especially now that I’m making it myself. Peanut butter has long been my go-to snack, but recently almond butter has emerged as my healthier alternative. Almond butter, in my opinion,…
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92Salsa 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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93Sweet summer strawberries at their peak flavor combine with the buttery creaminess of ripe avocados to deliver one stunning salad. Just toss it all together with a simple lemon vinaigrette for a great seasonal salad.
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94Hummus makes a great appetizer to keep on hand and has a wide variety of uses. It’s perfect as a dip with pita chips or veggies, great as a spread on sandwiches and wraps, or as a side dish with grilled chicken or lamb kabobs. The popularity of this Middle…
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95Spring is the perfect time of year to serve fresh asparagus and one great method for cooking is an indoor grill pan. I generally prefer the thin stalks for steaming and fat stalks for grilling, but use whatever you want – fat, thin, green or white. Look for…
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96I’ve been experimenting lately with some new “healthier” recipes. With a little less flour and sugar in my life, I’ve been looking for recipes that are nutritious, tasty, and help ward off cravings for foods that I’m trying to avoid. This hearty “faux meatl…
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