In the mood to mix your nightcap and dessert tonight? Something boozy and sweet — and brief? Here's just the thing. It's giggle-inducing to call this a recipe; it's more a whisper of a suggestion, a nudge to let you know that yes, Scotch and ice cream go very well together. More

I have a small passion for spiced doughnuts. Sure they're great from local bakeries, but when you're frying them at home, they are one of the most forgiving doughnuts you can make. Why? Because of their color. More

As a restaurant employee, let me just say this. Please don't go out to dinner on Valentine's Day. In fact, please stay home the week before and after. I beg of you. I won't elaborate, but why fight for a reservation when you can cook up a delicious, romantic meal in the privacy of your own home.

More

It's about this time of year that I start getting antsy, culinarily speaking. It's still winter and my body craves those hearty dishes of squash and legumes. But I'm also ready for the bright, fresh flavors of spring. This couscous salad with its roasted squash and citrusy vinaigrette bridges the gap. More

When I first conceived of these bright little tarts, I imagined them as dessert. Later I decided that they were even better as a fancy, yet healthy (gluten-free and sugar-free), breakfast. Either way, they are a luscious pairing of two winter gems: kumquats and dates. More

Valentine's day is just around the corner, and if you have a special someone in your life (or even if you don't), you may want to make a few drinks. These gin and tonic variations are labeled 'his' and 'hers', but don't let yourself be limited. I enjoy a nice manly cocktail every now and then - and the pretty pink 'hers' variation is so delicious that men might find themselves reaching for it by the end of the night. More

You probably know that parmesan rinds give excellent flavor to soups. Take this concept one step further by boosting your chicken or vegetable stocks with the flavor of parm, too. With the addition of rinds, you'll get an incredible base for soups and stews that's entirely unique from any standard stock.

More

When I set out to write my first book, one of the first recipes I knew I wanted to include was one for individual steamed pudding cakes. I ended up doing a lemon cakelet after a pregnancy-inspired double-order at a neighborhood eatery called Mary's Fish Camp. The chef there walked me through the magic of a pudding cake; how, thanks to an imbalance of wet to dry ingredients, a creamy smooth pudding layer forms on the bottom and a layer of fluffy sponge cake blossoms on top. More

I have a secret love affair with peas. Yes, I love them in their fresh-from-the-pod form, but during the winter months, I use their frozen cousins. I spice them in my favorite manner, similar to a dish I had in Cochin, Kerala, in Southern India, and eat them up with a large spoon, stopping only for a quick bite of naan or dollop of raita. More

As a vegetarian, I tend to eschew most meat alternatives such as veggie hot dogs or fake hamburgers. I know they don't taste like the real thing and many varieties are full of processed ingredients. But one interesting and hearty vegetarian ingredient I've just come upon is the soy curl. Have you tried these out? Here's a quick recipe for sesame ginger soy curls on salad. More