Spring pancakes originated in northern China at least 1,500 years ago. Traditionally, they were eaten on the solstice to celebrate the beginning of spring. These chewy little wrappers are also filled and deep fried to make spring rolls.
Category: Dinner
Like spring pancakes, this dish originates from the Shandong province, but Chinese American chefs have adapted it to locally available ingredients. The Chinese version is made with pork, egg, bamboo shoots, day lily, wood ear mushrooms, and seasoned with soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger, while the Chinese American version replaces the cucumber and day lilies with cabbage and carrots.
High-quality beans, ideally navy beans, slow-simmered with molasses and bacon, are the foundation of this classic New England dish. Growing up outside of Boston it was a childhood favorite, and he never made it from scratch!
Gumbo combines uniquely southern flavors and textures, starting with the holy trinity of creole cooking: bell peppers, onions, and celery, and thickened with brown roux and sweet, viscous okra. Traditionally, gumbo features fresh seafood and andouille sausage, but as with most stews, it is meant to be a catch-all for the best of what’s around. You can even make it vegetarian. Serve over long grain rice (especially Carolina Gold!) with a sprinkle of filé powder, and Tabasco, of course!
Making ravioli is an easy way to maximize your pasta skills. It yields very “fancy” results with just a little practice and no special equipment. Fill your ravioli with ricotta or other cheeses, scallops, beef, mushrooms, squash, lobster, or crab.
There’s nothing more satisfying than a warm bowl of hearty meat, creamy beans and hot chiles. This hearty, warming stew originated in the 1800s in northern Mexico before spreading into Texas and beyond. Originally, it was prepared with dried beef, suet, chili peppers, and salt, pounded together and dried into bricks for easy transport, and then cooked in a pot of boiling water.
At 18, I was introduced to Thai curry at a restaurant called Tree Top in Waltham, MA. I was entranced by the exotic flavors of lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, coconut and fish sauce on a bed of fragrant rice. I had to try to make something that delicious at home!
Wide noodles are easy to make from scratch and taste delicious with seasonal vegetables, seared scallops, garlic and asiago cream.
This luxurious dish features succulent crab cakes in a delicate nest of angel hair pasta. The fine, delicate strands of angel hair have a delightful mouth feel, particularly when paired with other subtle flavors and textures.
The rich winter flavors of duck, chestnuts, mushrooms, squash and cider syrup perfection come together on a soft bed of sweet, fluffy heirloom rice.