Simple Cooking

Fresh and candied ginger team up to make an uplifting, zesty treat that can be prepared in any season. This quick yet impressive dessert lends itself to endless reincarnations, using various dried fruits and citrus zests, or even cocoa for chocolate lovers—see the recipes that follow for ideas!

I call this crowd-pleasing soup my magic recipe. It is so amazing that so few ingredients—and a soup made in a matter of minutes—can have so much depth of flavor. It really is a fine example of the miracles of infusion. The dried cèpe (porcini) mushroom powder packs a maximum of fragrance and flavor and takes well to many variations: Pair it with paper-thin slices of raw domestic mushrooms or seared domestic or wild mushrooms showered in the bowl at serving time; prepare with dried morel powder in place of cèpes; top with thin slices of raw black truffles; or add a dollop of mushroom-powder- infused whipped cream.

My love for Asian food is never-ending, and this easy, quick chicken meatball creation is a favorite. The secret here is to steam the meatballs so they remain tender and succulent. Searing briefly afterward adds a wonderfully caramelized crust without overcooking.

This dessert is a big hit at parties in the Hollywood Hills, especially in the cooler months. It’s probably one of my most deceptive desserts—everyone thinks it's complex to prepare, but it's one of the simplest desserts in my repertoire. When the bread pudding is firm to the touch, you know it's done.

Use any whole spices you like for this beets recipe; just make sure you sizzle them in oil first to bring out their flavor.

Wheels of cucumbers and radishes are nice and all, but smashing them into ragged pieces is way more fun.

The fruit-to-sugar ratio in this marmalade recipe makes it not too sweet and you can really taste the grapefruit.

Mast, which translates to yogurt in Farsi, is a staple side dish on many Persian tables. The yogurt can be mixed with shallots, grated cooked beets, cooked spinach, or, most commonly, with Persian cucumbers, mint, and dried rose.

Cauliflower might not be a traditional ingredient in larb recipes, but the toasted rice powder is. 

With fewer eggs than the typical frittata, this Persian egg dish is the ultimate clean-out-the-herb-drawer meal.

Lemon makes the perfect foil for carbonara’s salty richness. You may never go back.

If the ingredient list didn’t tip you off, the seven-hour cooking time makes it official: This recipe is a project that you make for people you love. They’ll be thankful.

These steak kebabs are marinated in soy-ginger sauce, and served over a salad of bok choy, kale, and cucumbers.

Maple syrup and warm, fall spices add a touch of sweetness to easy roasted veggies.

Watercress is back! It’s fantastic paired with piquant mustard and sharp vinegar that can stand up to the nose-tingling burn.

If you can find Meyer lemons, use them for this recipe. Their thinner skin has very little bitterness.

At Moneygun in Chicago, they make this hot toddy in a French press. It's the perfect answer to what to drink on a chilly night.

Aged white rum seems like an oxymoron, but it adds an edge to this beach vacation of a cocktail.

In the fall, make this drink with a fresh fig instead of blackberries—use half for muddling and half for the garnish.

This creamy custard is popular in Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia and Singapore, where it's slathered onto toasted fluffy white bread and served with poached eggs as a morning snack. Often called the vanilla of Southeast Asia, the long, narrow, vibrant green pandan leaves give the jam its signature aromatic flavor.