In the midst of winter many people regret not having had the foresight to freeze batches of pesto when fresh basil was in season; others self-indulgently used up their supply much faster than they expected. In either case, here is a recipe that will satisfy pesto...
This is an all-purpose, flaky crust great for savory pies and sweet dessert tarts. After much experimentation I have found that it is best to roll the dough right after mixing it; the traditional method of chilling the dough beforehand makes it unnecessarily hard to...
Ghee is a butter oil that is used in Indian cooking for its excellent keeping qualities. The milk solids and moisture, which promote rancidity in butter, are removed, thereby ensuring the ghee a longer life, and also allowing it to withstand higher temperatures than...
This version of creme frache is similar to the kind you can purchase in France. The culture in the buttermilk thickens the cream and causes it to develop a tart flavor. It is so simple to prepare and is a wonderful addition to desserts, sauces, soups, or whatever....
This nut-filled crust is fabulous with fruit fillings. MAKES ONE 9-INCH CRUST 6 tablespoons butter, softened ВЅ cup sugar 1 egg yolk ВЅ teaspoon almond extract в…” cup unbleached white flour в…” cup (about 3 ounces) finely ground almonds Lightly butter a tart pan and...
This Italian basil and garlic sauce is one of the greatest delicacies of all time. It is most often used as a sauce for pasta, but my favorite way to savor it is to spread it on lightly toasted French bread and eat it as an appetizer. Traditionally it is pounded in a...
Mayonnaise can be mastered with a little effort and a good dose of knowledge. There are two methods to making mayonnaise: either beating it by hand or making it in the blender or food processor. The hand-beaten method produces a smoother, glossier mayonnaise....
This is my favorite tomato sauce, very garlicky and flavorful. Dried herbs work fine here and add to its ease. Use it on Neapolitan Pizza, or simply serve on spaghetti or linguine for a quick meal. MAKES ABOUT 3 CUPS Вј cup olive oil 4 cloves garlic, minced 28-ounce...
I always have these on hand in the freezer. They are very quick to make and can be made with stale bread or fresh bread. Save ends from bread (whole wheat preferred) and freeze them until you have enough to make bread crumbs, or use regular slices of bread. Toast the...
When I was a little girl, my friends and I would break off stalks of rhubarb and dip the raw ends into the sugar bowl, then bite off the sugary tip and squeal with delight over the overpowering tartness of the rhubarb. It was like biting into a lemon. That intense...
Here is a nutritious dessert with a distinct fruit flavor that you can make 24 hours in advance. The apricots provide an interesting tartness, and the oatmeal and walnuts give it a deliciously crunchy topping. SERVES 4 TO 6 6 ripe but slightly firm pears (preferably...
This classic American dessert is a favorite of mine, but it must be well spiced and have a rich, crunchy topping, as it does here. I have found that almost any variety of apple will do (except Red Delicious they're too mealy); if the apple is crisp and fresh and...