Cornbread is what happens when my two favorite things: corn and bread, get a little crazy – one thing leads to another, and 25 minutes later . . . they make a baby. A crumbly, slightly sweet, and aromatic baby. A cornbread baby that begs for a pat of butter or a drizzle of honey on […]

I love lemon poppy seed anything: cookies, muffins, scones, you name it! These cookies are addictively crisp, with a tender crumb and are a perfect addition to any cookie assortment. The lemon zest lends a fragrant floral note in addition to its citrusy sweetness. These cookies are especially delicious with tea because of they are delicate […]

October 7, 2016 Amy Cantu September is the month of birthdays in my family–there are at least four. As evidenced here, here, here, and here, I have a very soft and tender spot for cake. And so, more than anything this month, I’ve been craving foods that I could feel good about eating. I’m talking […]

When faced with a very large, beautiful, bone-in, skin-on, fatty beast of a pork shoulder, do not be afraid. Revel in awe in its size, richness, and sacrifice to our privileged bellies. I gathered up my courage and treated this beast the best way I know how – with love and simplicity. I love pork […]

I first laid eyes on this beautiful and majestic creature several years ago on Anne Burrell’s Secret of a Restaurant Chef on the Food Network. As she effortlessly prepared this beautifully browned and rustic crostata, I vividly remember salivating and wondering when I should make it and for what occasion. This recipe is not for […]

When Amy delivered her second baby almost two years ago, (?! Sniff!), I was in the throes of an obsession with burger patties. Lamb burgers, black bean burgers, salmon burgers, turkey burgers – I loved them all and made them with fierce frequency. A few days after she delivered her beautiful (and huge) bundle of sweetness, I […]

The first time I ever made a Pesto Pasta Salad with store bought pesto, I thought, really? This is it? I was underwhelmed and disappointed because I was looking forward to luscious pesto coating hot, long strands of pasta. The pasta was too firm, (even though I cooked the pasta to al dente,) with only […]

These Buttermilk Biscuits are big, fluffy, and ethereally buttery. (In fact, I baked them multiple times just to ensure that this description is accurate.) Even better, these biscuits are EASY and quick to make (under 30 minutes). There’s no special equipment required – just two clean hands! The Buttermilk Biscuits are perfect split open while […]

Appetizer 11 Aug 2, 2016 Flatbread with Chicken Shawarma, Eggplant, and Caramelized Onions Aug 2, 2016 Eggplant Dip with Caramelized Onions and Tahini May 10, 2016 Korean Green Onion and Seafood Pancakes (Pa Jun) May 3, 2016 Fresh Egg Pasta Apr 19, 2016 Tod Mun (Thai Fish Cakes) with Cucumber-Peanut Relish Apr 12, 2016 Swiss […]

Recently, I got an email from NYT Cooking that was sharing Sam Sifton’s Oven-Roasted Chicken Shawarma. It is one of those invaluable and easy pantry dishes that come together with very little prep and even less hands-on cooking. Throw marinade and chicken into a bag, let sit, dump on a sheet tray and toss it […]

It was another one of those harried days – I felt vaguely grumpy from getting too little sleep because I’ve become so used to waking up at every little sound my kids make that I’m now an insomniac. Also, I’m a worrier. I can’t help it. I lay awake at night thinking about nothing and […]

In college, my priorities were: being hopelessly aimless, Depeche Mode, and Ali Baba. I’d walk around campus with my first generation iPod and listen to Enjoy the Silence on repeat daydreaming that it was written for me. After class I would scurry down to Ali Baba, a small Mediterranean place on the edge of campus […]

I really can’t get enough of roasted chicken in its very many forms. The skin gets so tantalizingly golden, and meat comes out so juicy! This one is already conveniently in pieces, and using dark meat keeps it moist, even if you happen to forget about it in the oven for a bit. I love […]

A couple of months ago when I made Chopped Herb Salad with Farro, I had a serious surplus of mint. It sat in the refrigerator, sad and unused, until my husband came to its rescue. He made a simple syrup with the languid, leftover bunch of mint, and chucked it back in the fridge. A […]