Going big – fun, friends and freezer-ready meals. What is it about winter weekends that make simmering a big pot of soup or stew such a great idea? Obviously, large batch cooking has merits in any season — armloads from the farmers market in spring, heavily laden grills in summer,… Read More

Some things are meant to be. It’s an enduring partnership, as connected in the mind as salt and pepper or peanut butter and jelly. Who doesn’t instantly respond with “dumplings” when you hear, “chicken and ____”? The question is, when was the last time you made chicken and dumplings? Or… Read More

What’s #1 at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? State dinners. Celebratory banquets. Working lunches. Private family meals. What the presidents, their families and staff have eaten at the White House for the more than 200 years it’s existed reveals a lot about American food culture and trends. From elegant to commonplace, meals… Read More

Hi guys! Monique here, founder of the food and wellness blog, Ambitious Kitchen. As a full-time food blogger I find that being busy is a blessing. Whenever I’m the busiest I know I’m doing a mix of all of the things I love — developing delicious… Read More

When night falls, arise to satisfy your hunger. Is your sixth sense on red alert? Ah, that would be the paprika whispering quietly in your ear. In the most mild of undertones, it’s murmuring, “Come now, traveler. You must try this recipe for Old World Transylvanian… Read More

All together now. The story of gumbo is the story of America itself. It draws its essence from the coming together of people and foods in new ways, each bowl an acknowledgement of the contributions of many cultures and traditions. Far from a singular dish, gumbo varies according to the… Read More

Making your own fresh chicken broth is just as easy as popping a pot roast in the oven on a Sunday afternoon—just figure you can go organize your pantry or read a book while it’s simmering away on the stove!… Read More

Since summer corn is a natural partner with a Mexican-style soup, ears of corn are roasted and sliced off the cobs to add a touch of sweetness. You can also offer chopped ripe avocado, sliced green onion, and fresh cilantro leaves to jazz up each bowl as desired. Read More

As more summer produce appears in the market or your garden, you can make this main dish salad with just about anything. Roast or grill quartered beets, halved Roma tomatoes, sliced eggplant, sweet bell peppers or long slices of zucchini. Read More

Make this thick, hearty and nutritious chicken soup to fill up your kids’ thermoses for school lunch. In the fall you can use all sorts of autumn vegetables—try butternut squash, parsnips, or rutabaga for the carrots and celery—or your own canned tomatoes from a garden harvest. Read More

Pearl, or Israeli couscous, is different from the golden grains of North African couscous. It’s a very small semolina pasta that is rolled into balls, then is toasted to dry. It’s very quick cooking and makes a wonderful salad that can feed a crowd and keep in the refrigerator for… Read More

This classic salad is great for any time of the year. Read More

This non-traditional chili takes advantage of the later summer harvest: jalapeño chiles, corn, zucchini, fresh oregano, rosemary, and cilantro. Don’t let the list of ingredients discourage you—pile them into a big soup pot and simmer for less than an hour for a great all-in-one supper. Read More

Feel free to toss in some chopped fall butternut squash or parsnips instead of carrots for this delicious autumn harvest soup. Read More

If you’ve got some pungent bleu cheese or crumbly aged goat cheese on hand, toss some onto these welcoming winter salads. The richness of a nut oil in the dressing rounds out the toasty flavor of the dish. Like any good Waldorf, this one features the best of winter apples—dressed… Read More

It’s fun to use a grill sheet (those flat metal pans with holes or slits in them) when grilling vegetables. They don’t fall through the wider grill grate during cooking. If you don’t have one, you can make your own with a piece of foil with holes cut in it. Read More

Bulgur wheat is a versatile starting point for interesting, grainy salads. This hearty main dish salad is filled with nuggets of tender chicken and the light sweetness of summer tomatoes, grapes, and dried dates. Read More

Look for red lentils in the bulk bin section of the grocery. They keep well on the pantry shelf and cook up so quickly they’re a great choice for a side dish, spiced with a dash of dried chile flakes, ginger, and lots of garlic. Read More

This 5-ingredient recipe was created by Merry G. and was selected as a runner up in the Just BARE Just 5 Cooking Challenge in 2011. Read More

Pea shoots have a deep flavor that’s uniquely fresh and summery. Baby fingerling potatoes, especially Yukon Golds, are lovely for grilling—they cook fast and become almost creamy in texture. This short-cutted aioli is just a garlicky mayonnaise that’s a specialty of southern France and is delicious with grilled or roasted… Read More

Posole is like chili, in that you can load up the table with condiments that each diner can spoon into their bowl. Crisp, spicy sliced radishes, pungent green onions, chopped ripe avocado, fresh cilantro leaves, and your go-to hot sauce are favorites. Read More