Our virtual Test Kitchen is the heart (hearth?) of this site, with detailed profiles on ingredients from apples to zucchini, including their history, cooking how-tos and recipes. We also have multi-course dinner party menus complete with wine pairings and oodles of chef’s notes to make it easy.
ingredients
From everyday ingredients to unexpected indulgences, our dossiers look at the history of ingredients, their various uses and pairings, and feature recipes we’ve created for you to explore.
kitchen how-tos
From everyday ingredients to unexpected indulgences, our dossiers look at the history of ingredients, their various uses and pairings, and feature recipes we’ve created for you to explore.
ingredients
From everyday ingredients to unexpected indulgences, our dossiers look at the history of ingredients, their various uses and pairings, and feature recipes we’ve created for you to explore.
The Charm of Chocolate
Chocolate, rich and creamy, is the quintessential indulgent food. It’s perfect in almost every form, one of the most versatile ingredients, and we’re addicted to its unique taste and smell. We crave it in the summer as a smooth ice cream and as a steaming cup of hot chocolate on a frosty winter night.
09 February, 2016
Port Wine: Any Port in a Storm
This typically sweet wine is one of our favorite ways to end a meal, whether served with dessert or as an indulgence all on its own. In the kitchen, however, port’s richness lends itself well to enhancing sauces to accompany game meats and other savory dishes – and yes, we’ve been experimenting.
08 February, 2016Southwestern Thanksgiving Menu
If you are hosting the Thanksgiving festivities this year, perhaps you're feeling the need for a little twist on tradition.
12 November, 2015Apples: A Seductive Fruit
In recent years you may have begun to take apples for granted; since they are available year-round in supermarkets, apples have lost their connection to a season.
04 September, 2014Stone Fruit: Drupey Drawers of Goodness
Beyond coloring our landscapes with clusters of elegant blooms, stone fruit trees produce sweet and utterly juicy treats. ‘Tis the season for stone fruit celebration, and our test kitchen is overflowing with all kinds of color.
17 August, 2014Chestnuts: The Taste of December
Take an afternoon by the fire with some warm chestnuts and a spot of brandy. Go ahead, it's the holidays.
11 December, 2012Mulling Things Over
The soothing fragrance of cinnamon and its mulling companions is the perfect match for red wine -- and holidays.
11 December, 2012Cocktails, Anyone?
The origin of the term “cocktail” itself is rife with rumor and speculation, so we’ll leave that to the drink historians.
10 December, 2012
Hors d’Oeuvres: Little Bites of Heaven
Hors d'oeuvres can encompass a wide variety of foods, and range from casual finger foods to elegant nibbles. Their versatility makes them ideal for any kind of event, either as snacks taken at the cocktail hour prior to a seated meal, or as the main menu for a party where the guests won't be seated.
06 December, 2012Beets: Just Beet It
Healthy and delicious, beets are arguably one of the most underrated vegetables in the garden.
16 October, 2012
