MASHED CAULIFLOWER

MASHED CAULIFLOWER

SERVES 2 to 4 I grew up in diner country, where creamy mashed potatoes were a standard side dish that almost defined a balanced dinner. (Hello, meat and potatoes!) This cauliflower proves that starch is not a requirement for comfort. Snuggled under a hearty beef stew...
CREAMY SPICE MARKET KALE

CREAMY SPICE MARKET KALE

SERVES 2 to 4 Leafy greens like kale, chard, beet tops, and collards are the definition of “good for us,” but I’ve never been a fan of the standard “throw in a pot with bacon, stew for hours, and hope for the best” approach. There is surely an elderly (but still...
BLUE RIBBON COUNTRY CAPTAIN CHICKEN

BLUE RIBBON COUNTRY CAPTAIN CHICKEN

SERVES 6 to 8 In 1971, wearing a groovy vest-and-pants outfit she sewed herself, my mom won first prize in the Pottsville Republican’s annual Share-Your-Recipe contest. In the photo of the award ceremony at the swanky Necho Allen Hotel, she is clearly the...
MEAT AND SPINACH MUFFINS

MEAT AND SPINACH MUFFINS

MAKES 12 muffins These muffins are a savory surprise. First, they come in a brightly colored wrapper, just like cupcakes, only better. They also have a pleasantly dense texture that packs both meat and veggies into a fun, portable shape. Great hot or cold, you can...
SALMON A L’AFRIQUE DU NORD

SALMON A L’AFRIQUE DU NORD

SERVES 6 to 8 Summers in Austin, Texas, are hot, humid, and, oh, so long. One afternoon, deep in the triple-digit days, a frosty package arrived on my front porch: a box of 18-inch-long salmon fillets direct from my friend Cheryl in the forty-ninth state. She’s...