Browsing Ingredients

garlic

Dips

Whipped Hummus

I’ve tried all kinds of tricks to get super smooth hummus, from removing the skins from the chickpeas to starting with dried chickpeas and cooking them in the pressure cooker. This method uses canned chickpeas and is super easy, as long as you don’t mind listening to your blender run for a while. It’s delicious and has a satisfying, velvety texture.

Yield: 2 cups Total time: 10 minutes
Dips

Roasted Red Pepper & Cauliflower Dip

I’ve been looking for healthier, plant-based snacks to have around the house while working from home, as well as to share with friends now that we can socialize again. Cauliflower in particular seems like a good option, since it’s chock full of vitamins and nutrients, has tons of fiber, and is low in calories. This delicious dip is as easy as chopping and roasting veggies, and then blitzing them in the food processor, and lets you snack and still feel good about yourself.

Yield: 6 appetizer servings Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Dips

Roasted Fennel & White Bean Dip

I was drawn to this bean-based dip thinking it would be healthy, but realized how decadent it was after liberally brushing the crostini in butter and blending the copious amounts of olive oil and grated cheese into the dip. I’ll try to lighted it the next time I make it, but for now just consider it a luxury.

Yield: 12 appetizer servings Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Breakfasts

Savory Breakfast Oats

Mornings during the pandemic are a scramble to get everyone up, in front of laptops, and ready for a day of remote learning and work. I usually realize at some point mid-morning that I never ate anything, and I’m now starving.

Sugary breakfasts aren’t helpful, so lately I’ve been craving something more savory. This filling bowl of oatmeal is ready in minutes, keeps me going for hours, and is delicious, once you get used to the idea that oatmeal doesn’t have to be sweet.

I’ll use name-brand ingredients here, since the directions for preparing oatmeal are specific to the brand and style of oats, and because the saltiness of the dish depends on the type of broth and salt used. If you’re using different brands, follow the oatmeal’s package directions (adding the egg two minutes before the end), and season according to your own taste.

Yield: 1 serving Total time: 5 minutes
Vegetarian

Salt & Pepper Tofu

As we’ve been cooking more at home and rarely visiting restaurants, we’re really craving bold, unique flavors, especially Asian food. Learning how to use Sichuan peppercorns has been a revelation, and since first trying this dish we’ve started using the combination of salt, white pepper, ground Sichuan peppercorns, and sand ginger powder on everything. It’s as good on hot popcorn as it is this tofu.

Yield: 4 servings Total time: 3 hours
Condiments

Garlic-Ginger Paste

This is a game-changer, especially when you’re trying to get a meal together fast, or when you are working on an already-involved recipe and could use a shortcut that doesn’t compromise on flavor. Prepare this garlic-ginger paste in advance, portion it in an ice cube tray, and freeze it. Then just pull a cube or two out of the freezer whenever a recipe calls for freshly grated garlic and ginger, and you’ll be your own food prep hero. You’re welcome.

Total time: 20 minutes
Pork

Asian Honey Garlic Chicken Kabobs

Three and a half months in to a global pandemic, socializing with friends indoors or meeting in restaurants isn’t an option. There’s little comfort level for sharing food or even serving utensils. The best way we’ve found to see friends is outside, and sharing food straight off the grill (everyone can grab their own skewers) seems reasonable.

These flavorful kabobs are absolutely delicious and provided a bright moment of entertaining during a long challenging summer.

Yield: 6 servings Total time: 3 hours
Vegetables

Roasted Garlic, Broccoli, & Bell Peppers

Roasted veggies are so versatile. Once the chopping is done, roasting them on sheet pans is hands-off, and these veggies pair perfectly with white or brown rice, farro, noodles, or beans for a full meal, with or without a protein.

Yield: 3 to 4 servings Total time: 1 hour
Poultry

Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs & Green Beans

During a time where we’re sheltering in place and don’t have a lot of our typical social events or small joys to get us through the week, decadent chicken dinners are real winners, especially if they can be made with ingredients we’ve stocked the freezer with.

When using frozen green beans, either defrost or partially cook them before adding them to the skillet, or steam them fully and toss them in the garlic butter once the chicken is cooked.

I love the method of deboning skin-on chicken thighs in order to get the crispy chicken skin but not have the bone on your plate.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Vegetarian

Pasta e Ceci (Roman Pasta & Chickpeas)

Our lives have changed in the past month. We are sheltering in place in our homes due to the arrival of the coronavirus, so all work, school, cooking, and eating is now done at home. I no longer dash to get a poke bowl or go for lunch with a coworker, I don’t even really leave the house.

This comforting bowl of chickpeas and pasta, cooked in its own sauce, has become a weekly go-to lunch we can make quickly at home and eat while we work and help Leo do his schoolwork. Made entirely from pantry staples, it’s garlicky and satisfying, and is a small dose of reassurance in uncertain times.

Yield: 3 servings Total time: 30 minutes