This is one of the most delicious dinners I have put on our table this year. The wild-caught Norwegian salmon is out of this world. The avocado is perfect in its creaminess. The tomatoes give just the right tartness. The cucumber cools against the heat…

Tom Kitchin may be a famous Scottish Chef but this is his wife’s recipe. This is the kind of recipe I call true comfort food. The traditional lasagna element of bechamel is used here. But instead of an Italian-style filling, there’s a nod to this…

  Ina’s take on this French classic: Scallops in a creamy sauce with a hint of curry under a crust of bread crumbs and cheese.  I am a huge fan of Ina Garten or as a friend of mine once said “What’s not to like?” …

Swordfish is wonderful cooked like this. In no time at all, you have something satisfying and truly special. It’s good enough for company and a terrific treat for everyone. We ate it all summer in Nantucket while I was growing up. It was simply grilled…

We love Chowder and this is a great one. Chowder is very basic and cooked simply. Today’s recipe consists of the basic elements of potatoes and onions, pork, milk, and cream.  It follows the recipe that has made New England famous for its chowders. But…

I am a sucker for anything that looks remotely like Pizza. This particular recipe ticks a lot of boxes.  It puts together at least three New York favorites. Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese and, according to its creator, was inspired by the bagel. The Cream…

Shrimp has many virtues. Among them is the lightning speed in which they cook.   That is also their bugaboo.  Overcooked shrimp are dried out and rubbery. In a recent Cook’s Illustrated, Andrew Janjigian pointed out the problem.  Shrimp are best cooked at just 120…

A Trip to California and an unforgettable food discovery. The first time I had this soft tortilla shell stuffed with crispy, beer-battered cod topped with avocado salsa, pico de gallo, and slaw, I was hooked.  The crispiness of the fish was irresistible. The soft flour…

How’s your Spanish?  You don’t need to speak a word to enjoy this fantastic tuna casserole. What’s in a name?  Plenty.  Today’s dish is an homage to Spain. But this dish has its roots firmly planted in the US of A.  It was a mainstay…

A No Recipe Recipe yields a Chowder so good, I had to share the recipe I made with it. Once a week, Sam Sifton of the New York Times publishes what he calls a “No Recipe Recipe”. There is no set of ingredients or steps…

Introducing the first Viking River Cruise ship to sail the Mississippi, Viking Mississippi. My latest article takes Armchair Cruisers on the grandest ship to ever sail America’s Mississippi River. Here’s a link to the article I just wrote for Connoisseur Magazine. And after that, in…

The Sheet Pan: A great way to cook because it can be used to roast, bake or broil. For Christmas, one of Andrew’s gifts to me was Molly Gilbert’s book (Workman Publishing 2014). The asterisk is because the book also puts Breakfasts, Desserts, and Snacks…

“Taco Tuesday” has never been easier…or faster for that matter I love Tacos and I am particularly fond of Shrimp Tacos since I ate my first one at our local Taqueria, El Mitote (208 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10023 Phone: (212) 874-2929). There, the…

Bring a dish of Summer Sunshine to your Winter table in under 30 minutes flat. I nominate this dish for being a great big bowl of happy colors, great flavors, and almost instant gratification.  It comes together in under 30 minutes. That alone qualifies it…