One hot summer evening, my friend Jason and I decided to stay in the AC and watch Werner Herzog’s documentary about the internet. I had gone to the Japanese grocery store earlier that day and had bought ume shiso salt (a salty, tangy, sour-tart MSG sprinkle made from shiso and plum), and he brought over … Read more
Step 1 Cut the ends of 1 small, ripe cantaloupe so it has two flat surfaces. While it’s on one of its flat surfaces, cut the rind off the melon, trying to lose as little flesh as possible. Cut the melon in half, scoop out the seeds. Cut in half again, and thinly slice. Step … Read more
This sweet potato cornbread recipe comes together quickly. After just 12 minutes in the microwave—though it also works with a leftover baked sweet potato (or even canned sweet potato purée)—the tubers emerge soft and steamy, ready to be mashed by hand and whisked into the wet ingredients. If you have trouble finding buttermilk, combine milk … Read more
These banana chocolate chip muffins have range. Serve them at brunch, take them to a housewarming party, or make a batch to snack on throughout the week—no matter the time or place, they’re sure to please. Overripe bananas have the best texture and richest banana flavor, so wait until yours are brown and speckled. To … Read more
“Black garlic can make nearly anything taste good,” says Silver Iocovozzi, chef at Neng Jr.’s in Asheville, North Carolina. Made by aging regular garlic in a warm environment for a few weeks, the resulting cloves are jammy in texture, jet-black, and slightly sweet, with a deep, almost mushroom-like flavor. Locate black garlic at some specialty … Read more
Cocoa powder and sweet potatoes might sound like an unexpected combination, but this recipe proves they’re actually a match made in heaven. Instead of doubling down on sweetness, the cocoa powder acts as a foil, taming the candied character of the root vegetable. Immediately adding the sesame seeds and cocoa powder to sizzling hot brown … Read more
“My partner, Cherry, and I agree that broccoli is best when kept really simple,” says Silver Iocovozzi, chef at Neng Jr.’s in Asheville, North Carolina. Here large pieces of roasted broccoli make a great fork-and-knife side for a party, particularly when doused in a bright, savory, funky sauce made from dill, citrus, and fish sauce. … Read more
If this isn’t the world’s best potato salad recipe, it’s certainly a strong contender. Created by legendary New Orleans chef Leah Chase, the dish gets its subtle kick from white rather than black pepper. The type of potato you choose will have the biggest effect on your potato salad: Russet potatoes will break down a … Read more
Long hot peppers, in season from late summer through early fall, are worth seeking out at the farmers market for their bright green color and earthy heat. These mildly spicy Italian long hot peppers make a great sweet-and-sour toast topper or sandwich stuffer, but the way we love them most is dragged through a nutty, … Read more
This is creamed corn for the summer months, turning the sweet and plentiful fresh kernels into a cheesy side in just minutes. Like the namesake pasta, the sauce gets its gloss from the emulsion of cheese and starchy liquid—in this case, a mix of cornstarch and water that mimics the viscosity of pasta cooking liquid. … Read more