When fresh basil abounds and you can get a bouquet the size of your head from the farmers market (a.k.a. The Most Wonderful Time of the Year), this basil fried rice recipe should be in your weekly rotation. You can use any variety, including vibrantly hued Thai basil leaves with purple stems, fragrant green Italian … Read more
In this recipe, classic caprese salad goes from side dish to main, all thanks to a tube of precooked polenta. Found next to the dried pasta in the supermarket, store-bought polenta is often viewed as a shadow of its homemade counterpart. But try slicing and frying it—and you’ll see that it’s the ideal weeknight sidekick. … Read more
Modeled after Thai pad kra pao, this simple, speedy chicken stir-fry is wonderful for summer—and beyond. Where the traditional version uses fresh chiles, this recipe replaces them with bottled sambal oelek to keep things pantry-friendly. Combined with oyster sauce, fish sauce, and a bit of sugar, it’s a savory-spicy explosion of flavor that belies how … Read more
Pasta is an evergreen comfort; it has no season. But during the dog days of summer, the last thing you want is to be sweating over a long-simmering pot of Bolognese. This no-cook cherry tomato sauce delivers bold flavor without the high heat. Salt and acid are all you need to break down and brighten … Read more
This cherry tomato pasta recipe takes full advantage of the juicy sweetness and acidic pop of ripe summer tomatoes, but don’t let that stop you from making it year-round. Thanks to the fact that cherry and grape tomatoes ripen in less time than larger varieties—and because they’re easy to grow in hothouses and warmer climates—good … Read more
Historically prized for their curative properties and health benefits, fresh herbs like mint, basil, and tarragon are champions in the kitchen. They offer endless opportunities to upgrade the flavors of virtually any dish (cocktails too!), bringing a level of deliciousness and finesse that simply can’t be matched by dried herbs or spices. But, if you’re … Read more
Classic chicken parm is hardly weeknight-friendly. Between breading the chicken, making a slow-simmered sauce, and assembling it all, it requires many steps yet still doesn’t feel like a complete meal on its own. A near-obligatory side of pasta requires a separate pot of water. This version ditches the breading in favor of a generous dusting … Read more