Showing posts with label basic food series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label basic food series. Show all posts

Burgers: Thick vs. thin

When it came to burgers, I never really understood what all the fuss was about. People were always over-the-moon about them, and Alex would order them at restaurants every single chance he got. I just didn't love them.

But then.

When we were in Chicago a couple weeks ago, I decided to give burgers a final chance. And the burger from Au Cheval blew my mind.

Why? The patty was thin.

It was a revelation. I'd never actually had a thin patty before. I'd only had thick patties, either on friends' backyard grills or at restaurants. They were fine, but sort of hard to eat. But this thin patty with good old American cheese and a squishy bun was mind-blowing. All the flavors combined perfectly. I finally got it.

So, I'm now a #1 fan of thin burgers and plan to devour many more in my future.

What about you? Thick? Thin? Somewhere in the middle? Neither? Martha Stewart Living has great recipes for both.

(Photos by Sang An for Martha Stewart Living)

The Best Margarita You'll Ever Have

New York has been HOT this week. Like humid, sticky, 99-degrees-but-feels-hotter hot. And when you need a break after a long day, the best thing to do is...have a margarita. Happily, the lovely Kate from the whole foods blog Cookie + Kate shares her favorite recipe below...
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The Best Blueberry Muffins You'll Ever Have

Picture this: You wake up on a Saturday morning, and a delicious scent is wafting up the stairs. The culprit? Blueberry muffins. With real berries. And crumble. Below, Jennifer from Bake or Break revels how to make this happen...
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The Best Apple Pie You'll Ever Have (with Caramel)

Happy Fourth of July! Let's take a quick break from our work/life balance series to ask: Any plans to see fireworks or eat hot dogs? Since nothing is more all-American that apple pie, Hannah from Honey and Jam is sharing her favorite recipe today, and bonus: it has caramel...
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The Best Avocado Toast You'll Ever Have

In my old age, I've learned a few things: how to trapeze, how to argue fairly and the genius of avocado toast. Avocado toast is delicious, healthy and takes like three seconds to make. It's the perfect breakfast or lunch, and we've even had it for dinner along with tomato soup or scrambled eggs. Lucky for us, the fabulous Jessica from How Sweet It Is agreed to share the perfect recipe...
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The Best French Vinaigrette You'll Ever Have

My parents spent a few years in Paris in their twenties, and even though they've been back in the States for decades, my mom still waxes nostalgic about the French salads. It's not the greens she cares about. It's the perfectly peppery, garlic-y, lemon-y dressing that coats each leaf and brings the salade to a whole new level. So, I was thrilled when Amanda Hesser from Food52 agreed to reveal her ideal vinaigrette recipe...
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The Best Scrambled Eggs You'll Ever Have

This week is all about travel, so let's talk about scrambled eggs. When you're staying with friends or family, it's such a nice gesture to get up early and whip up a delicious breakfast for everyone, and scrambled eggs are always a crowd-pleaser. Happily, the lovely Helene from Tartelette has agreed to share her favorite recipe...
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The Best Buttermilk Pancakes You'll Ever Have

How do you like your pancakes? Plain with syrup? Mixed with blueberries or chocolate chips? Sprinkled with lemon juice and sugar? However you take them, a stack of warm pancakes is always delicious and comforting, and they're the best way to kick off a weekend. Happily, Adrianna from A Cozy Kitchen agreed to share her favorite recipe (and genius tips)...
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The Best Chicken Cutlets You'll Ever Have (with Corn Flakes!)

Jenny Rosenstrach writes the fantastic food blog Dinner: A Love Story and has a brilliant cookbook memoir of the same name coming out next week (yay!). She and her husband Andy are passionate about nightly family dinners with their two daughters--and swear it's possible, if you keep things simple and fun. (Fun fact: Jenny has a diary listing every single dinner she's made since 1998!) Here, she reveals her secret family recipe for the best chicken cutlets ever...
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The Best Party Cocktail You'll Ever Have

My mom turned sixty last February (!), and we're throwing her a long-awaited family party this coming weekend. My brother, sister and I have been brainstorming surprises for her party, which I'll keep secret until next week--and I'm also in charge of drinks. Happily, my friend Anna suggested this incredible cocktail, which we're definitely whipping up this weekend...
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The Best Meatballs You'll Ever Have

Eating meatballs while drinking red wine instantly makes you feel like all is right with the world. Something about meatballs--rich, luscious meatballs--makes you feel warm and cozy to your core (not to overdramatize it or anything:). Luckily, Faith Durand, the executive editor of The Kitchn, agreed to reveal the two secrets to making the world's best meatballs. "My husband was quite thrilled that I made these last night," she says. Here goes...Read more »

The Best Macaroni & Cheese You'll Ever Have

Macaroni & cheese is one of those comfort foods that makes you feel better no matter what kind of day you've had. Three different cheeses, salty pancetta, warm pasta...I'm craving a big bowl right now. (And it makes great leftovers!) Luckily, Naomi from Rockstar Diaries agreed to reveal their favorite family recipe, which they (and their toddler daughter) can't get enough of...
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Fruit flavored waters

I recently went to a friend's house for lunch, and she served a pitcher of water with watermelon slices. Refreshing with a touch of sweetness. This summer, wouldn't it be nice to have flavored waters in the fridge to make drinking water more delicious? You could use slices of lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, strawberries, raspberries, mint, cucumber, whatever! What are your favorites? xo Update: Thanks to the readers who suggested pineapple and clementine--yum.

The Best Peanut Butter Cookies You'll Ever Have

Peanut butter cookies with a glass of milk. Can't you conjure up exactly what it tastes like? One of life's great pleasures. Here, Jennifer from Bake or Break shares her recipe for the most mouthwatering version ever (which would be perfect to take to a dinner party!)...
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The Best French Toast You'll Ever Have

Who's hungry?! French toast is one of those meals that always hits the spot--whether you're having it for Sunday breakfast, or whipping some up for a midnight snack. Eggy, thick, buttery, syrupy... Happily for us, Miss James from Bleubird Vintage is sharing her go-to recipe, which not only satisfies two adults, but also her three hungry kiddos! Here goes...
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The Best Fries You'll Ever Have (Belgian-Style)

A few months ago, I went to dinner at my friend Clare's house (home of the perfect cauliflower soup, by the way), and she and her husband served mussels and fries. Everything was delicious, but you know what actually stole the show? The tangy mayonnaise they served with the fries. So, here's how to serve delicious European-style fries for an instantly special dinner...
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The Best Roast Chicken You'll Ever Have

Whenever I eat roast chicken, I remember the book A Year in Provence, where Peter Mayle talks about how his friends would invite him to a leisurely outdoor lunch every Sunday, featuring lemony roast chicken and lots of wine. Herbed, moist, almost buttery--roast chicken can be such a treat, as well as a perfect weeknight meal. Here, the genius Caitlin from Roost shares her favorite roast chicken recipe...
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The Best Tomato Soup You'll Ever Have

New York is having a surprisingly chilly week, so we've been craving comfort foods, like tomato soup with a gooey grilled cheese sandwich. There's nothing cozier and more bolstering on a cool day, or a lazy Sunday evening at home, don't you agree? Luckily, Helene from Tartelette has agreed to share her recipe for the perfect warm-you-up-and-hit-the-spot tomato soup...
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The Best Banana Bread You'll Ever Have (with Bourbon and Chocolate Chunks)

My mom used to make banana bread when we were growing up. We'd smell it in the kitchen, and I'd request tastes right when it came out of the oven, when the bananas were soft, mushy and a little too hot. The memory alone makes me homesick for Michigan! Well, luckily, the fabulous Joy the Baker has agreed to share her #1 banana bread recipe with us today, and (record scratch) it includes bourbon and chocolate chunks. As she says, it's "bonkers delicious." Here's the recipe...
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Best Chocolate Chunk Cookies You'll Ever Have

Everyone has that one food that they cannot resist, don't you agree? If you set a plate of warm chocolate-chip cookies in front of me, I will literally not be able to stop my hand from reaching out and taking one. So, the recipe I've been waiting to perfect my whole life is for the best chocolate chip cookies, hands down. Well, today, Aran from Cannelle et Vanille shares her recipe (complete with two secret ingredients!)...
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