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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121This 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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122I first tried this exotic guacamole a couple of years ago at my good friend Robert’s Christmas party. His mother was in town that year and helped prepare some most of the incredible food on the buffet table. You can read more about his holiday preparations…
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123According 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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124If you’ve never had a Manhattan, you may be missing out on one of the great cocktails, a truly sophisticated drink that lives up to its name. I suppose the Martini is the most popular and famous of the two, but I prefer the warm, smooth, interesting flavors…
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125If 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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126This 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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127Pumpkin 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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128Some 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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129Despite 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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130There's nothing like homemade fresh guacamole - an it's so easy to make - that's there's no need to ever buy store-bought. The secret is perfectly ripe avocados!
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131It’s hard to believe that we’re already approaching Labor Day weekend – the summer just flew by. According to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), Labor Day is one of the most popular holidays for barbecuing - after 4th of July and Memorial Day.…
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132Pork tenderloin makes an easy weeknight dish. Trader Joe’s sells individual tenderloins that work perfectly with this recipe. It’s just the right amount for two people and is really easy make. Maple syrup is the perfect accent to pork and the whole grain mu…
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133Fresh corn on the cob just seems to be a summer tradition for most people. It’s so simple to do, but everyone I know seems to use a different method – grilled, steamed, boiled, microwaved. When I was growing up, we picked fresh corn from the garden and it w…
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134This is an easy summer salad to throw together for a weekend barbcue. The avocado dressing is fresh and creamy - use leftover dressing for a crudite platter.
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135Mushy peas are a traditional side dish to the British classic - Fish & Chips. I was recently in London for the Queen’s Jubilee and stayed at the incredibly beautiful Corinthia Hotel ( Click here for hotel link ). It is truly one of London’s best properties.…
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136This 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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137I 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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138A friend of mine called and asked me what was the best way to use up a bunch of apples and I naturally suggested applesauce. I often find the crisper drawer in my own refrigerator filled with a variety of apples and end up throwing them into a pot with a fe…
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139This rich, moist coffee cake is quick to make and also works well peaches, apricots, and even frozen blueberries.
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140There really is nothing like a Georgia Peach and they are arguably the sweetest and tastiest grown anywhere in the world. Georgia ranks third nationally in acreage devoted to peaches (with 11,500 acres in 2006) and in production (behind California and South…
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141When 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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142This 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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143Celebrate Mardi Gras with this quick and easy dinner for two, inspired by traditional Louisiana cooking. Uglesich's Restaurant in New Orleans ( Uglesich website ) serves one of the best shrimp and grits that I ever tasted, although, just about everything th…
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144These scallops make a great first course, but you can easily serve it as main course by mixing the pesto with pasta. I use cilantro because it grows so well in the garden, but you can easily substitute your favorite pesto – basil or sun dried tomato would w…
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