From James's kitchen
Tested, annotated, and worth returning to. Browse dependable recipes for everyday cooking, relaxed weekends, and occasions worth sharing.
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121Mojitos make a great summer cocktail – refreshing citrus and mint hit the spot on a hot summer day. I always have a ton of mint growing in pots (it spreads like crazy), and this is a perfect way to use it up. The best version involves a little advance prep…
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122Summer barbecues just aren’t complete without this classic side dish. Everyone has a favorite version, and when I’m looking for an authentic home cooked version, this is my recipe of choice. As a kid, I was pretty fussy about what was in it, and my mother w…
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123This is a classic moist fudgy brownie enhanced with Amaretto and almonds, but you could also make them with hazelnuts and substitute Frangelico for the Amaretto. They work best in a 9” square pan so make sure to check the size of your pan. Perfect to take t…
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124Nothing beats fresh tomato sauce made with your own (or someone else’s) garden tomatoes. The few simple ingredients combine to make a truly delicious and authentic pasta sauce. This recipe can easily be doubled if you have an abundance of tomatoes, and it f…
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125If you’re looking for a more sophisticated dessert for your next dinner party, try this Austrian classic. America’s Test Kitchen updated the recipe and it’s pretty easy to do. I made it recently for a small dinner party and was able to prepare it in the mor…
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126Devil’s Food Cake is one of the most popular cakes in the United States and has its own day, May 19, which celebrates National Devil’s Food Cake Day. “Devil’s Food” cake is rich, decadent chocolate cake that is generally darker in color than most chocolate…
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127When I was growing up, the mother of a good friend used to make this every weekend, mostly because of our collective pleading. She would throw it together in minutes and shortly later pull out the most impressive golden brown, billowy pancake that seemed sc…
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128Although they’re often a favorite side dish staple, sometimes mashed potatoes need a little inspiration. Root vegetables make a perfect addition to potatoes, and I particularly like the sweet flavor of carrots in this recipe, but parsnips, rutabagas, turnip…
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129Apparently the origin of this meringue-based dessert is somewhat unclear, but seems to have been created in honor of Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova’s visit to New Zealand and Australia. The nationality of its creator has been a source of argument betwee…
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130A friend of mine recently brought me a bag full of grapefruit picked from her tree in Palm Springs. There’s nothing like fresh grapefruit and this recipe takes it to a new festive level. Broiling grapefruit is quick and easy and can be increased to accommod…
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131Red Velvet is popular around Christmas but in the south you will usually find it served all year long. The bright red cake and white creamy frosting make it perfect for Valentine’s Day. Americans spend around $655 million each Valentine's Day on candy, maki…
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132This is one of the simplest recipes but always a crowd pleaser. Everything can be picked up at the grocery store – unless you’re in the mood to roast your own peppers – and assembled quickly at home. The recipe can easily be increased to make as many servin…
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133Homemade vinaigrettes just taste better and it's really worth the extra few minutes it takes to shake up a batch in jar. I like to use this recipe during the winter, when there are lots of great citrus fruits to choose from in the grovery store. Blood orang…
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134This is one of those recipes reserved for very special occasions - when you’re having a small dinner party and want to make a big impression. You will probably have to ask your butcher to prepare a trimmed, center-cut piece, often known as Chateaubriand, fr…
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135I first tried this exotic guacamole a couple of years ago at my good friend Robert’s Christmas party. His mother was in town that year and helped prepare some most of the incredible food on the buffet table. You can read more about his holiday preparations…
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136For some reason I have found myself in Scandinavian and Eastern European countries during the winter months and although the weather can be a bit frigid, the experience has always been memorable. Recent visits to Amsterdam, Berlin, Stockholm, Copenhagen, He…
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137According to their site, Andes Crème de Menthe candies rank as the “number one after-dinner mint” delivering a “smooth blend of mint and chocolate flavors– the perfect post-meal treat”. They are particularly popular during the holidays and easy to find at y…
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138If you’ve never had a Manhattan, you may be missing out on one of the great cocktails, a truly sophisticated drink that lives up to its name. I suppose the Martini is the most popular and famous of the two, but I prefer the warm, smooth, interesting flavors…
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139If you’re a fan of sweet potato casserole at Thanksgiving, but are looking for an alternative to ubiquitous marshmallow topping, this is the recipe for you. It’s an easy dish that can be made a day ahead and baked when needed. Make ahead recipes are really…
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140This is a quick and easy caramel sauce, but be sure to use a 2 quart saucepan, the hot sugar syrup mixture will bubble vigorously (and dangerously), and a small pan could overflow. Despite the slight drama on the stovetop, the sauce is well worth the minor…
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141Pumpkin is one of my favorite ingredients, especially during the fall months. This is a great cake for friends with October/November birthdays (like me!) It’s also a nice alternative to pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. Feel free to substitute whole wheat or whi…
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142Some nights I just can’t decide what to make for dinner - especially when time is short, and I’m not in the mood for recipes that require lots of prep (and therefore lots of cleanup). This lemon chicken recipe adapted from Ina Garten’s cookbook – How Easy i…
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143Despite the warm weather we’ve been enjoying in Southern California, a recent trip to my local grocery store reminded me that fall is here – pyramid-like mounds of pumpkins filled the entrance, flanked by bins of apples of every variety. Although apples are…
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144There's nothing like homemade fresh guacamole - an it's so easy to make - that's there's no need to ever buy store-bought. The secret is perfectly ripe avocados!
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