For maximum heat, leave the seeds and membranes in the pepper; habanero will be much hotter than serrano. Ever touched your lips or eyes after chopping hot peppers? Avoid those burns by wearing gloves to prevent the pepper's heat from penetrating your skin.
Currant-Glazed Lamb Chops with Pistachio Couscous is definitely a company-worthy entree, but it's also easy on the cook. The slow-cooked flavor of these lamb chops will have guests thinking you've been in the kitchen all day--not 20 minutes.
From Wills Point, Texas, Dorothy Pritchett shares the recipe for this Easter morning treat. "It came from my niece in Ballwin, Missouri, who's one of the best cooks in the world," Dorothy credits.
Shrimp and Grits, a low-country favorite, makes a hearty, one-dish dinner and is table-ready in 30 minutes. Sustainable Choice: Buy Pacific white shrimp farmed in recirculating systems or inland ponds.
Every year for his birthday, Tim Hollingsworth's mother makes him cheesecake with canned cherries on top. In his clever version, he substitutes goat cheese for the cream cheese and glazed cranberries for the cherries.
Look for caper berries near the olives in the supermarket; they should be next to the capers, but they're much bigger and have a stem. In a pinch, substitute about a tablespoon of chopped capers. Japanese eggplants have thinner skins than typical globe eggplants, so you can leave the peel on. The light purple color is pretty, too.
Note: I prefer using Carnaroli rice for its slightly longer grains and firmer texture. Feel free to use any risotto-style rice like Arborio or Vailone Nano. About the author: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt is the Chief Creative...
Note: This recipe calls for moderately ripe plantains. Look for ones that have mottled yellow-black skins, avoiding those with green skins (which are unripe) or black skins (which are too ripe). You may have to visit a...