We rely on dried pasta from the store for the majority of our pasta dishes, saving the homemade version for special occasions and dinner parties. But fresh pasta is so good! Could it be easier to whip up on a weeknight than we think? More

When I was on the prowl for bean dishes for warmer weather, this recipe for Rapini with Orecchiette and White Beans was the first to catch my eye. With it's fresh greens and minimalist ingredients, it sounded absolutely perfect. It's been a while since we last looked at what goes into a recipe and how to change it. Take a look at what I did with this one. More

Last night I made one of my favorite dinner-in-a-flash recipes: Ricotta dumplings. This is a lightning-quick recipe, easy to mix up, and easy to make for a crowd, too. I tossed these pillowy, chewy little dumpling squares with a bit of butter, soft goat cheese, and herbs fresh from the garden. They were ready in 15 minutes! More

Long days and outdoor picnics call for an easy pasta recipe that everyone will enjoy. This dish is easy, healthy and very elegant. More

Date night dinners need not be complicated to be fancy. Take this recipe: lasagna noodles trimmed into squares make elegant "open-faced" raviolis. With poached eggs nestled between the layers, some wilted greens, and a simple sauce of brown butter and lemon, this very simple dish becomes a date night win. More

With all the citrus that grows here in Southern California, we're always searching for new ways to use these fruits – French toast, roasted vegetables, dust... We often add citrus zest to couscous dishes and this time we thought, why not add the juicy segments? Sweet pomelo was the perfect fruit for this experiment, and the result is a dish we can't get enough of! Filled with bright chunks of pomelo, refreshing mint, and savory fried shallots, it can be served alongside fish or tofu or as a light meal on its own. More

What would we ever do without pasta? When it comes to quick, simple dinners, pasta reigns in my household. (My husband's family is Italian, which also has something to do with this; pasta is one of the major food groups around here.) Here's a look back at some of our best pasta recipes, with an emphasis on sauces. Some of my own personal favorites are here: A pesto sauce made with steamed broccoli and feta, and a rich, creamy wild mushroom ragù that is nevertheless quite light and cream-free. There's a meaty lamb sauce, and mint pesto for spring. Read on, then share your own favorite pasta sauce for springtime! More

Even the most generic dried pasta can be turned into a tasty meal if it's salted properly. One of the best pieces of advice I was taught in culinary school was, "Salt the pot, not the pasta." Confused? Here's what that clever little phrase means. More

When it comes to essentials, like tomato sauce, originality is overrated. Marcella Hazan's classic tomato sauce is famous and adored, and justly so. Scads of bloggers and food writers have written about it, so I'm just following along. I thought it was worth a spotlight this week, as we talk about simple, fresh, inexpensive dinners. This is one of the best sauces I know, and it only needs four (yes, four) ingredients. More

Early spring calls for a very specific sort of supper. We want something comforting, yet light. Nourishing and simple, yet full of bright sunny flavor. Chicken with fennel, fried rice, curried udon noodles, Hainanese chicken, and a lovely Indian dish of flattened rice are all high on our list of favorites. Here are some of our best simple yet flavorful suppers that seem to suit early spring just right. More