Chris Nordquist
I’m now beginning to accept that it’s autumn, and when I sit down to think about what we’re going to have for dinner for the week, favorite braised dishes like pot roast, lamb tagine and boeuf bourguignon happily come to mind. Not only are they delicious, but their rich, mellow flavors are favorites of […]
We had our first cool evening of September on Sunday, and, perhaps tellingly, my thoughts turned to rice pudding. This version of the classic pudding elevates this childhood comfort food into a more grown-up pleasure (that Julia still loves). The pudding is boldly flavored, in the Spanish style, with orange and lemon, and these flavors […]
I’d like to point out that it’s still technically summer until September 22. And to prove it, the markets are full of beautiful summer produce, including stone fruit like peaches and plums. Here’s a video about one of my go-to spring and summer desserts, a perfectly simple tart that beautifully frames these bright summer flavors. […]
Here’s a light and delicious summer dessert that’s an impressive alternative to a cake or a pie. Pavlova is a treat that originated, I think, in Australia and is named, they say, after a famous ballerina. But whatever the origin, it’s a delight. A pillow of sweet meringue –crisp on the outside, marshmallow-like on the […]
One of my summer kitchen stand-by’s is salsa verde. In minutes, you can use fresh herbs to transform simple grilled meat or fish into a special dinner that’s full of big summer flavors. Salsa verde is more of a formula than a recipe — just use parsley, capers, lemon, olive oil and something from […]
This is one of my favorite summer desserts –both to eat and to make. I like to eat this rustic French dessert (pronounced “clafoutee”) because it elegantly features the flavor of ripe summer fruit. And I like to make it because it comes together in just a few minutes from simple ingredients –you can mix […]
We’re coming to the dog days of summer when quick cold lunches are just the ticket. Yes, this is a recipe for chicken salad. But please keep reading anyway. I know there’s nothing exciting about chicken salad. In fact, I generally don’t really like it. I love the chicken, and I’m fond of a good […]
Here’s another meal you can make in 15 minutes with just five ingredients (in addition to salt, pepper, and basic cooking fats): mussels with a delicious, aromatic sauce of white wine and herbs or Moules à la Marinière, if you want to get all French about it. The dish is as elegant as it is […]
The summer houseguest season is here and with it the challenge of keeping a houseful fed, watered and happy while remaining cheerful yourself –and getting a bit of time at the pool, beach, hammock or whatever. I nearly always enjoy making dinner, but three full meals a day for a group can be a little […]
San Francisco now has many neighborhood farmers markets, but the Saturday market outside San Francisco’s historic Ferry Building is still, I think, the biggest of them all. (Besides being an operating ferry terminal, the Ferry Building itself is also a sort of fine food mall –in a very good way. It contains dozens of shops […]
