Simple Hibachi-Style Fried Rice
For a simple, comforting fried rice to accompany our Japanese Steakhouse Steak and Vegetables, we started by boiling the rice in plenty of water. This eliminated the need for leftover rice by effectively cutting the cooking time in half and rinsing away excess starch that can result in stickiness. To create the sweet and savory […]
Garlic Noodles
These deceptively simple, yet devastatingly delicious garlic noodles were invented in San Francisco, at a restaurant called, Thanh Long, back in the 70s. Usually served with roasted Dungeness crab, the actual recipe is a very closely guarded family secret, but after lots of investigation, and even more experimentation, I think this is very close, […]
Chana Masala
Chana Masala is an Indian-Style Chickpea dish often served with basmati rice, or naan. Chana Masala is Hindi for “Spiced Chickpeas”. (Chana translates to chickpeas and masala translates to spice.) If you are wondering what the difference is between Chana Masala and Tikka Masala, Tikka usually refers to “meat”- so spiced meat dish.This authentic Chana […]
Basmati Rice Pilaf with Dried Fruits and Almonds
This basmati rice pilaf is studded with dried fruit and almonds, and scented with cumin, cinnamon and turmeric.
Spaghetti with Lemon Pesto
This pasta dish is modeled on the spaghetti al pesto di limone that Giovanna Aceto made for us on her family’s farm in Amalfi, Italy. The lemons commonly available in the U.S. are more acidic than Amalfi’s lemons, so to make a lemon pesto that approximates the original, we use a little sugar to temper […]
Greek Style Lentil Rice Pilaf (Pilafi me Fakes)
This dish is made in some form all over Greece. This version of it is perfumed with spices such as coriander, cinnamon, and allspice. This is perfect to serve as the main course for a light meal or as a side dish.
Pasta & Peas
Pasta & peas, or pasta e piselli, is a traditional Italian dish passed down from Nonna’s (Grandmothers) all over the world. I have taken this authentic dish and made it slightly more Mediterranean with a small twist. Fresh basil has been replaced with mint for a unique flavor – did I defy tradition or improve […]
Cheesy White Bean-Tomato Bake
For those of you who love lasagna’s edges, where sticky tomato meets crisp cheese, this whole dish is for you — even the middle. A tube of tomato paste here mimics the deep flavors of sun-dried tomato. Frying a few generous squeezes caramelizes the tomato’s sugars and saturates the olive oil, making a mixture that’s […]
Couscous with Shallots, Garlic, and Almonds
The “pilaf method” allowed the couscous in our recipe to brown gently and uniformly, and cook up fluffy and separate. We bumped up the flavor of our couscous recipe by using a combination of chicken broth and water, which we added to the pan after the couscous was toasted and by using almonds for textural […]
Zach’s Classic Pork Fried Rice
This fried rice recipe brings together several time-honored ingredients to exemplify my idea of this ultimate takeout classic.
Fenugreek & Gram Flour Flatbreads
Flatbreads, also known as roti or chapatti, make a great accompaniment to any of the curries in this book. They are also terrific as a snack with some pickle or chutney, or used as wraps for your favorite fillings or some chutney and salad. They are handy to have for picnics and packed lunches, too. […]
Grilled Potato Salad With Chiles and Basil
This dish is everything we love about a German potato salad (bright vinegar, fresh herbs, a little heat), plus the added benefit of a grilled, smoky, char. The still hot-off-the-grates spuds get tossed in dressing that’s equal parts spicy, sweet, herbaceous, and nothing sort of addictive. If you don’t have access to a grill, fear […]
Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes
We love scalloped potatoes, but most recipes call for more than an hour of oven time to soften the potatoes. We wanted a streamlined recipe that could be made any night of the week. We started by parboiling sliced russet potatoes in a combination of heavy cream and chicken broth on the stovetop. Then […]
Thai Spicy Duck & Pineapple Fried Rice
Rich roast duck (available at an Asian market), fragrant basil and chunks of sweet pineapple make this quick dish a cut above your everyday fried rice.
Pita and Chickpea Salad with Yogurt and Mint (Fatteh)
This dish is known as fatteh in the Levant, where it often is eaten for breakfast. It’s a way to turn stale pita bread into a hearty meal. We, however, start with fresh pita, brush it with butter, crisp it in the oven, then break it into shards before topping the pieces with warmed […]
Barley Risotto with Asparagus and Lemon
Combine the bright flavors of lemon, basil, and asparagus with the earthiness of barley and onions.