Snack
Citrus Cookies
That's a whole lotta citrus in this here recipe. If you want to make a citrus cookie that tastes like you climbed up a tree and plucked a cookie off the branch, that's what it takes.
Why Aren't You Making Pea Toast?
It's spring. Why aren't you making pea toast?
Maple Chocolate Cake
The one-bowl chocolate cake is a busy baker's workhorse, and a concept that's been riffed on in countless ways by just about every cookbook, food magazine, and professional domestic goddess over the past few decades. And for good reason-who doesn't love being minutes away from homemade chocolate cake, no complicated machinery required? My version is naturally sweetened with maple syrup, which also makes it unbeatably moist.
Feta Snack with Spring Radishes
Though good with any fresh vegetable, this sharp, creamy feta dip, smoothed with a little buttermilk, is exceptional with crisp spring radishes. Much as in the combination above, salt and fat mellow any heat from the raw radishes. Cheesemaker Mary Rigdon of Decimal Place Farm has been brining her goat's milk feta to order for us every week since Miller Union opened. If you have a local farmers' market that sells fresh cheeses, look there first for good-quality feta. I love the little pink, purple, or red garden variety radishes for this dip.
English Pea Hummus
Though the healthful and now mainstream Middle Eastern dip we know as hummus typically includes chickpeas and sesame tahini, this adaptation contains neither. Rather, its similarly smooth texture comes from the natural starch and protein of the English pea. In the summer, I make a variation of this using blanched field peas of any variety, and I substitute thyme for the spring herbs and fresh garlic in place of the early green garlic of spring.
Hot Miso Crab
This works as a fancy little passed hors d'oeuvre toast or as a more substantial dinner toast. As an hors d'oeuvre, it'll pair especially well with rose but also any sparkling wine or crisp white. If you're eating it for dinner, saute some garlicky bok choy or watercress on the side, plus a little kimchi for bite. If you're tight on cash but still want to impress, this is a great one-you don't need to buy the most expensive crab; the miso makes up for it. That said, it's always best to buy the highest quality you can afford.
Homemade Herbed Paneer Cheese
Serve this take on the traditional Indian fresh cheese with olive oil, salt, and pepper for a simple yet impressive appetizer. The tofu-like texture also works well folded into soups or curries or pan fried and tossed into salads.
Ham and Pea Hand Pies
These mini tarts are double sealed for extra insurance.
Fudgy Double-Chocolate Brownies
Brownies can go two ways—fudgy or cakey—and these rich, decadent squares decidedly fall into the fudgy category.
Macaroon Matzo Crunch
This totally addictive matzo treat combines the flavors of two Passover classics: macaroons and matzo.
Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting
A classic combination in an adorable little package. The cupcakes, which are reminiscent of banana bread, would be a great breakfast treat (with or without the frosting).
Radishes With Herbed Salt and Olive Oil
Start off a holiday meal in the freshest way possible: With crunchy radishes dipped in olive oil and then into flavorful herbed salt.
Ultra-Buttery Irish Scones
These tender, flaky scones are all about the butter.
Avocado Cream
An extra smooth, delightfully tangy guacamole.
6 Tricks to Use Stale Tortilla Chips
Tortilla chips go stale fast. Don't throw them out: put that sad, half-empty bag in your pantry to good use.
Puffles (Stuffed Puff-Pastry Waffles)
These stuffed waffles couldn't be easier; you don't even have to make batter! They combine the flakiness and flexibility of puff pastry with the golden brown, crispy exterior of a waffle. Use one of the suggested sweet or savory fillings below, or experiment with your favorite flavor combinations to make the puffles of your dreams.
Blistered Edamame
Pass the Pods C'mon, who doesn't love edamame? Consider this the adults-only version: sautéed, spicy, and highly snackable.
Hogs in a Pretzel Blanket
Put a tray of these in the oven when the first guests show up.
Buffalo Wing Popcorn
Why this spicy caramel popcorn didn't already exist, we have no idea.