TIP OF THE DAY: Tortellini En Brodo

Tortellini en brodo (often misspelled in the U.S. as tortellini in brodo) is a classic Italian dish. Some Americans call it tortellini soup. It is served as a first course—chicken broth with a few tortellini—or as a main dish packed with tortellini. It’s a cousin of dumpling and chicken soups from Jewish chicken soup with…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Hasselback Potatoes

The potato recipe that wins the award for “simple and elegant” is Hasselback potatoes. Simply by making a series of deep parallel cuts along the top of the potatoes, they open into this visually arresting fan. They are also called accordion potatoes or pillbug potatoes (because the segments resemble the shell of the pillbug—yuck!). While…
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FOOD FUN: Deconstructed Caprese Salad

One of a foodie’s favorite salads is the Caprese, a delicious combination of tomato, basil and mozzarella that was “discovered” in Italy in the 1950s (the history of Caprese salad). Tasty basil and mozzarella are available year-round, but luscious summer tomatoes are required to make this simple combination soar. Until the crop comes in, look…
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FOOD HOLIDAY: National Banana Creme Pie Day (Also Spelled Cream Pie)

March 2nd is National Banana Creme Pie Day. But is it banana creme or banana cream? Crème, pronounced crehm, is the French word for cream. As recipes evolved in the U.S., the trend was to emulate French spellings to give the recipe a cachet. Doesn’t soupe du jour (typically misspelled as soup du jour) sound…
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RECIPE: Caesar Salad With A Twist

This idea from Posana Café in Asheville, North Carolina can turn what is typically a side salad into a main course salad. Hard boiled eggs and crispy prosciutto or bacon are added for protein. The romaine, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and dressing remain, except that the lettuce is not torn, the raw egg in the dressing becomes…
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