RECIPE: The Best Baklava

A winning baklava recipe. Photo courtesy Food 52.   We admit to an enthusiasm for baklava. Good baklava—made with quality honey—is one of the world’s great pastries. Here’s the history of baklava, an ancient pastry that dates to the 8th century B.C.E. This recipe was the runner up in a contest held by Food52 for…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Try Leeks

When was the last time you cooked leeks? Leeks are closely related to onions and shallots, although they are not interchangeable in recipes, as their flavors and intensities differ. Leeks look like jumbo green onions (scallions). The long, thick stalks are mild. Leeks are hardier than onions and shallots, and are also more difficult to…
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RECIPE: Orange Date Ice Cream

Different and delicious: Orange Date Ice Cream. Photo courtesy SpiceIslands.com.   Here’s something special for ice cream lovers: Date-Orange Ice Cream, a citrusy-sweet, sophisticated combination crafted by David Lebovitz for Spice Islands. He happened upon a sale on dates and created what he calls “a uniquely delicious cross between a classic Creamsicle and exotic dates.”…
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RECIPE: Gourmet Potato Tots (A.K.A. Tater Tots)

[1] Heaven: sandwich, beer, potato tots. Add some of the ingredients below to glam-up the tots (photo © Red Duck Ketchup). [2] A gourmet touch: a topping of pickled mustard seeds and green pea purée (photo © The Eddy | New York City),   They’re not quite senior citizens, but Tater Tots® hit the big…
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RECIPE: Nutella French Toast

[1] Nutella, jam, and panettone French toast (all photos © Bauli). [2] Panettone is a tall yeast cake. [3] It’s usually filled with raisins and candied fruit. Panettone is not just for the holidays. You can freeze them and enjoy them year-round.   Panettone (pah-neh-TOE-nay) began in medieval Italy as a Christmas bread; but today,…
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