Basil Gin and Tonic

I went to make Slick Shoes, but cucumber soda was nowhere to be found. Close enough! Beverages, Make Ahead Servings: 10-12 INGREDIENTS For drink (batch): To serve: DIRECTIONS Mix ingredients, except soda and lime, in a large jar. Let sit for a day or two. Strain. Fill pint glass or collins glass with ice. Add 2 oz … Read more

Green Tofu Skewers

Appetizer, BBQ, Vegan, Vegetarian Servings: 8  INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS Cut tofu into 1 inch cubes. Drain well on paper towels. Put hot sauce, soy sauce, and white miso paste in a blender with 3 chopped scallions and garlic cloves. Blend with 1/4 cup water until smooth. Marinate tofu overnight in the sauce. Soak skewers in lemon water, … Read more

Lemon-Herbsaint Poppers

Servings: 64 Source: David Guas DESCRIPTION These are great served at a cocktail party or a garden party, passed around on a platter with small demitasse spoons. They’re bright yellow and taste of citrus with the unmistakeable anisey twang of Herbsaint. Herbsaint is a New Orleans creation that debuted right after the repeal of Prohibition, crafted to take … Read more

Orange and Pecan Cream Cheese

Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes  Servings: 8  Source: Paul Harsha INGREDIENTS For dip/spread: DIRECTIONS Chop pecans in a food processor.Add cream cheese, orange juice, and zest then process until combined.  NOTES Adapted from a post by Ganga on BlueSky

Passover

Passover for us is a communal affair, best observed with friends, preferably at a restaurant seder. This year, we stayed home and made Ruth Reichl’s Matzo Brei and this amazing Lamb Tagine from the Boston Globe. Lamb Tagine with Apricots and Peas Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes Total Time: 2 hours Servings: 6  Source: Sally Pasley Vargas … Read more

Tomato Water Martini

INGREDIENTS Tomato Water: Drink: Garnish: DIRECTIONS Tomato Water: Purée tomatoes and salt in a robot coupe. Wrap purée in a triple layer of cheesecloth and place in a chinois with a bowl underneath. Let sit overnight. Chill reserved liquid before using. Drink: Put gin and tomato water in a shaker with ice. Shake. Spritz glass with vermouth, pour in mixture, … Read more

Garlic Basil Mayo

I used this as a lobster tail dipping sauce, but it is perfect for this time of year. Ingredients: Directions: Add all ingredients except for olive oil to food processor.  Blend for about a minute and slowly add the olive oil. I just pour it in to the little spout on top and let it … Read more

Scones

I started out trying to recreate the sourdough scones from SQIRL after a recent trip to LA, but ended up adapting this far simpler recipe from Nigella Lawson. I add 2 tablespoons of sourdough starter plus half a cup of currants and some lemon zest, then brush the tops with buttermilk, but that’s all that … Read more

Updated ribs

DESCRIPTION These are instructions for cooking pork ribs on my Big Green Egg. I use lump charcoal, wood chunks, and a plate setter. The updates are all “leave it alone” lessons learned from reading and watching Aaron Franklin. INGREDIENTS 2 racks of fresh pork spare ribs (figure 3 servings per rack) 8 tablespoons yellow mustard (about 2 … Read more