Raspberry Dressing (Vinaigrette), No Added Sugar There are some flavors that just transport me back to my grandmother’s kitchen. For me, it’s the bright, slightly tart scent of berries, especially raspberries, mingled with the sharp tang of vinegar. This no-added-sugar raspberry vinaigrette is one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug from the … Read more
Rich & Charlie’s Italian Salad Dressing (Light): A Taste of St. Louis Tradition, Reimagined There are some flavors that just transport you. For me, Rich & Charlie’s Italian dressing in St. Louis is one of those. It’s the kind of dressing that made me fall in love with the simple, yet profound, pleasure of a … Read more
A Vibrant Harmony: My Red and Sweet Potato Salad There’s something undeniably special about a potato salad that transcends the usual picnic fare. I remember the first time I encountered this particular version; it was at a summer barbecue thrown by a dear friend who always had a knack for elevating simple ingredients. The interplay … Read more
Quinoa, Black Bean, and Shrimp Salad: A Burst of Freshness and Flavor There are some dishes that, from the very first bite, transport you to a different time or place. This Quinoa, Black Bean, and Shrimp Salad is one of those for me. I remember making it for the first time on a sweltering summer … Read more
Romaine with Oranges and Pecans: A Burst of Sunshine in Every Bite There are some dishes that, upon first taste, instantly transport you. For me, this Romaine with Oranges and Pecans is one of those culinary anchors. I remember a particularly grey and drizzly afternoon many years ago, feeling utterly uninspired in the kitchen. I’d … Read more
The Enduring Charm of 7-Layer Salad: A Culinary Hug from My Past I remember the first time I truly saw 7-Layer Salad, not just as a dish, but as a centerpiece. It was at a summer barbecue hosted by my Aunt Carol, a woman who could coax a smile out of anyone and a phenomenal … Read more
The World’s Greatest Pasta Salad: A Symphony of Creamy, Tangy Perfection There are some dishes that transcend mere sustenance; they become edible memories, woven into the fabric of celebrations and everyday joys. For me, this pasta salad is precisely that. I recall one sweltering summer afternoon at a neighborhood potluck, where bowls of limp, greasy … Read more
The Unexpected Zest: My Flea Market Find for the Ultimate Salad Dressing Flea markets, to me, are less about dusty antiques and more about uncovering hidden culinary gems. One rainy Saturday, tucked away in a forgotten box overflowing with faded linens, I stumbled upon an old, well-loved church cookbook. Its pages, brittle with age, smelled … Read more
A Taste of Autumn’s Embrace: Warm Salad with Luscious Plum Vinaigrette There’s a certain magic that happens when autumn truly settles in. The air crisps, the leaves ignite in a fiery spectacle, and our culinary inclinations turn towards dishes that are both comforting and vibrant. This warm salad, with its jewel-toned plum vinaigrette, has become … Read more
A Hug in a Bowl: My Go-To Warm Chicken and Pasta Salad I remember the first time I encountered a warm pasta salad that truly sang. It was at a bustling potluck, a symphony of dishes vying for attention, and then there was this bowl. A gentle steam rose from it, carrying with it the … Read more
A Taste of Nostalgia: 1950’s Kidney Bean Salad My earliest memories of this dish are tied to the aroma of my mother’s kitchen, a space that was always filled with love and the scent of something delicious simmering or baking. She learned this kidney bean salad recipe during her early days working at a supper … Read more
The Yummy Potato Salad: A Timeless Classic Reimagined There’s a certain magic that happens when simple ingredients come together to create something truly comforting. For me, potato salad isn’t just a side dish; it’s a portal to sun-drenched picnics, bustling family barbecues, and the sheer joy of shared meals. I still recall one particularly memorable … Read more
The Art of Simplicity: Wafu Salad (Japanese Style Onion Salad) There’s a certain magic in dishes that rely on the purest flavors of their ingredients, a testament to the Japanese culinary philosophy of “shun” – savoring ingredients at their peak. I remember my first encounter with Wafu Salad, not in a bustling izakaya, but nestled … Read more
Quinoa Feta Salad with Basil Cilantro Vinaigrette: A Symphony of Freshness I remember the first time I truly understood the power of a vibrant, refreshing salad. It wasn’t at a Michelin-starred restaurant, but at a bustling farmer’s market in late summer, where a vendor served up a bowl of this exact Quinoa Feta Salad. The … Read more
Kale and Tabouli Salad: A Vibrant Twist on a Mediterranean Classic There’s a certain magic that happens when familiar ingredients are coaxed into something entirely new, yet still deeply comforting. For me, this Kale and Tabouli Salad embodies that very magic. I first encountered a version of this dish on a sweltering summer afternoon at … Read more
A Kaleidoscope of Cabbage: My Red and Green Coleslaw Revelation I still remember the first time I saw this vibrant coleslaw. It wasn’t just a side dish; it was a visual exclamation point on the plate. The ruby hues of the red cabbage danced with the emerald tones of the green, flecked with the bright … Read more
The Warrior Salad: Fueling Victory, One Bite at a Time There are certain dishes that, when you first encounter them, resonate with you on a primal level. For me, the “Warrior Salad” was one such revelation. I remember flipping through Daphne Oz’s cookbook, “The Chew,” on a particularly grueling Tuesday after a long day wrestling … Read more
Feta & Oregano Quinoa Salad: A Mediterranean Marvel There are certain dishes that, upon the first bite, transport you to a specific moment, a feeling, a memory. For me, this Feta & Oregano Quinoa Salad is precisely that. I recall a sun-drenched afternoon, the air thick with the scent of charcoal and laughter, at a … Read more
The Ethereal Simplicity of 5-Ingredient Butter Lettuce Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette There are those rare moments in a busy kitchen, amidst the symphony of sizzling pans and the fragrant dance of spices, when a dish emerges that is so profoundly simple, yet utterly captivating. For me, this 5-Ingredient Butter Lettuce Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette is … Read more
Foul Mud a La Alfanoose: A Symphony of Mediterranean Flavors There’s a certain magic that happens when humble ingredients are transformed into something truly spectacular, and that’s precisely the experience I’ve had with Foul Mud a La Alfanoose. My first encounter with this dish wasn’t in a fancy restaurant, but rather at a bustling street … Read more
Ukrainian Red Beans With Plum Sauce: A Symphony of Sweet, Savory, and Soul The scent of simmering plums, a fragrance deeply woven into the fabric of Ukrainian kitchens, always takes me back to my grandmother’s dacha. Even on a crisp autumn day, the sweetness of the late harvest, captured and preserved in rich, dark jams, … Read more
The Elegant Simplicity of Walnut Vinaigrette There’s a certain magic in transforming humble ingredients into something extraordinary, and this Walnut Vinaigrette from the incomparable Michael Ruhlman is a prime example. I remember the first time I encountered it, tucked away in his seminal work “Ratio.” It wasn’t just about using nut oil; it was the … Read more
The Enduring Charm of a Perfectly Crafted Red Lettuce Salad There are certain dishes that, in their elegant simplicity, whisper stories of culinary history and personal connection. For me, the Red Lettuce Salad falls squarely into that category. It’s a dish I’ve returned to time and again, not just for its refreshing simplicity, but for … Read more
Quick and Healthy Coleslaw: A Burst of Freshness There’s something undeniably nostalgic about a perfectly balanced coleslaw. For me, it’s the smell of summer barbecues and the bright, crisp counterpoint it offers to rich, smoky flavors. I remember one particular Fourth of July cookout, a chaotic symphony of sizzling burgers and laughing kids, where my … Read more
Kale and Walnut Pesto: A Verdant Departure from Tradition As a chef, there are certain foundational dishes that, for me, represent culinary comfort and versatility. Pesto is one of them. While the classic basil and pine nut version holds a special place in my heart, I’ve always been drawn to exploring its myriad possibilities. I … Read more
A Celebration of Simplicity: Kamut Ditalini and Bean Salad I still remember the first time I tasted this Kamut Ditalini and Bean Salad. It was at a potluck hosted by a dear vegetarian friend, a woman who could coax magic from the simplest ingredients. As I navigated through the usual suspects – creamy dips, robust … Read more
A Symphony of Summer: Fruit Salad with Creamy Strawberry Dressing There are certain dishes that, with a single whiff or a fleeting glance, transport me back to sun-drenched afternoons and the unhurried joy of summer. This Fruit Salad with Strawberry Dressing is one of those culinary treasures. I remember my grandmother, a woman whose kitchen … Read more
White Bean Salad with Lemon and Parmesan: A Symphony of Simplicity and Flavor I remember the first time I truly understood the elegance of a perfectly executed white bean salad. It wasn’t a fussy, overcomplicated affair, but rather a testament to how a few stellar ingredients, treated with respect, could sing. I was in a … Read more
The Humble Hero: A Quick Bean Salad That Delivers Big Flavor There are certain dishes that, while seemingly simple, possess an almost magical ability to grace any table with their presence. This Quick Bean Salad is one of those unsung heroes. I remember first encountering a version of this during a sweltering summer barbecue at … Read more
Warm Cabbage Salad with Bacon and Blue Cheese: A Symphony of Flavors and Textures There are some dishes that, with just a single bite, transport you back in time, conjuring vivid memories of kitchens past and the comforting embrace of home. This warm cabbage salad is one of those treasures for me. I first encountered … Read more