A Simple, yet Sophisticated First Course

By Sandy Hu

I love to start a diner party with a first course already set at each place when my guests come to the table. Of course, it has to be something easy to make, since there’s the rest of the meal to tend to.

This fennel salad is a lovely starter for a romantic dinner for two; you can double or triple the recipe for a larger group.

If you don’t have a mandoline to slice the fennel bulb, try using a sharp potato peeler or a sharp knife to create thin, almost-transparent ribbons.

Click to read more ...

Pizza Redux: From Crust to Filling

By Katie Barreira

A few weeks back, we stretched pizza dough and ever since, that beautiful, but lonely crust has vexed me like a hanging chad. So here’s a hearty pizza topper the will fill up winter bellies and empty crusts, along with the best technique for baking crisp crust at home if you don’t have a pizza stone.

Super Baa-d Pizza
I love the rich, mildly gamey flavor of lamb meat. Pair it with a smooth and tangy sheep’s milk cheese and you’ve got a double delicious pizza.

Click to read more ...