Main Dishes - Recipes for All Occasions
Main dishes are the focal point of a meal and set the tone for the other elements. Whether you plan to feature beef, cornish hens, shrimp or pasta, you'll find the recipes you need for main dishes here.
Here's the Beef
Here's a selection of recipes featuring beef from around the world.
Here's a selection of recipes featuring beef from around the world.
Grunt: Making the Most of Leftovers
When I was in college my roommates and I used frequently make a dish we called "Grunt." It was a take-off on Beef Stroganoff and it featured such things as leftover roast beef, chicken and pork. Serves 2.
When I was in college my roommates and I used frequently make a dish we called "Grunt." It was a take-off on Beef Stroganoff and it featured such things as leftover roast beef, chicken and pork. Serves 2.
Grilling for Two
Let me confess up front that when it comes to grilling meat - or anything else - I'm a arch-conservative. You should only grill over natural charcoal. You should never touch lighter fluid (a chimney works perfectly). I won't o near a gas grill and the only time I use briquettes is when I'm smoking meat - barbequing - (because natural charcoal burns too hot) and then I only use natural bri…
Let me confess up front that when it comes to grilling meat - or anything else - I'm a arch-conservative. You should only grill over natural charcoal. You should never touch lighter fluid (a chimney works perfectly). I won't o near a gas grill and the only time I use briquettes is when I'm smoking meat - barbequing - (because natural charcoal burns too hot) and then I only use natural bri…
On a (Casse)Roll
Casseroles get a bad rap. And frankly most casseroles deserve it. They have largely become bland, unimaginative dishes using canned cream-of soups to moisten a thoughtless collection of overcooked ingredients as an excuse to get something cooking in a hurry with a minimum of preparation. These recipes are more work - but, Oh!, the payback.
Casseroles get a bad rap. And frankly most casseroles deserve it. They have largely become bland, unimaginative dishes using canned cream-of soups to moisten a thoughtless collection of overcooked ingredients as an excuse to get something cooking in a hurry with a minimum of preparation. These recipes are more work - but, Oh!, the payback.
In Braise of Cheap Meat
Braising is one of my favorite cooking techniques - it's part roasting and part stewing and if can turn the toughest imaginable cut of meat into some a toothless hillbilly could eat.
Braising is one of my favorite cooking techniques - it's part roasting and part stewing and if can turn the toughest imaginable cut of meat into some a toothless hillbilly could eat.
Primarily Pasta
Pasta is cheap, available not only in a multitude of shapes but even colors, filling, a perfect foil to all sort of sauces, and it's also a delicious base to such varied dishes as Beef Stroganoff and Chicken Parikash.
Pasta is cheap, available not only in a multitude of shapes but even colors, filling, a perfect foil to all sort of sauces, and it's also a delicious base to such varied dishes as Beef Stroganoff and Chicken Parikash.
Hoecakes: An Outstanding Breakfast - Or Dinner
Hoecakes are distiguished by the use of corn flour or corn meal. In this hoecake recipe there's just enough cornmeal to add some texture and flavor.
Hoecakes are distiguished by the use of corn flour or corn meal. In this hoecake recipe there's just enough cornmeal to add some texture and flavor.
Tip: Perfect Soups, Stews, and Braises
Fall and winter are the seasons for soups, stews, and braises. These are all cooking methods that involve cooking in liquid but most cooks make a serious mistake when making these dishes: they boil the meat.
Fall and winter are the seasons for soups, stews, and braises. These are all cooking methods that involve cooking in liquid but most cooks make a serious mistake when making these dishes: they boil the meat.
Italy for Two
Italy is far more than pasta, red sauce, and cheese. It offers some of the most varied cuisine in the world. And yet, much of it is well-suited to cooking for two - easily scaled down, quick to make at the end of a long day or suitable for a leisurely Sunday afternoon.
Italy is far more than pasta, red sauce, and cheese. It offers some of the most varied cuisine in the world. And yet, much of it is well-suited to cooking for two - easily scaled down, quick to make at the end of a long day or suitable for a leisurely Sunday afternoon.
Burger Bonanza
The end of summer and semi-official end of grilling season approaches: Labor Day. If you haven't grilled a burger yet this year then times running out.
The end of summer and semi-official end of grilling season approaches: Labor Day. If you haven't grilled a burger yet this year then times running out.
Tips: Successful Souffles
Souffles really aren't difficult to make, but there are a few tricks that can produce a better soufflé.
Souffles really aren't difficult to make, but there are a few tricks that can produce a better soufflé.
Making a Savory Souffle: A Photo Tutorial
Making a savory souffle intimidates many cooks, there seems to be something arcane or magical about creating them, but in fact souffles aren't difficult to make. This photo tutorial will take you through it step by step.
Making a savory souffle intimidates many cooks, there seems to be something arcane or magical about creating them, but in fact souffles aren't difficult to make. This photo tutorial will take you through it step by step.
Tips: Better Burgers
If the last burger you ate was in a fast food joint, then you short-changed yourself. A well-made homemade burger is not only far superior to what you can buy, but it's a great choice when cooking for two. They're easy to make and, because burgers freeze well, you can make up half a dozen and freeze four for a later meal. Here are a few tips for creating outstanding burgers.
If the last burger you ate was in a fast food joint, then you short-changed yourself. A well-made homemade burger is not only far superior to what you can buy, but it's a great choice when cooking for two. They're easy to make and, because burgers freeze well, you can make up half a dozen and freeze four for a later meal. Here are a few tips for creating outstanding burgers.
Succulent Shrimp
Shrimp is one of my favorite meals, it keeps well in the freezer, thaws quickly, can be used in all sorts of cuisines from Cajun to Vietnamese, and is low in calories.
Shrimp is one of my favorite meals, it keeps well in the freezer, thaws quickly, can be used in all sorts of cuisines from Cajun to Vietnamese, and is low in calories.
Individual Beef Wellingtons
This tutorial for making individual Beef Wellingtons looks like a million dollars and tastes like heaven. It's also surprisingly easy to make, albeit time-consuming, but can easily be completely prepped a day in advance.
This tutorial for making individual Beef Wellingtons looks like a million dollars and tastes like heaven. It's also surprisingly easy to make, albeit time-consuming, but can easily be completely prepped a day in advance.
Cooking in Parchment
Cooking in parchment locks in flavors and juices, as well as making an elegant presentation without much effort.
Cooking in parchment locks in flavors and juices, as well as making an elegant presentation without much effort.
Sausage Ragu - A Hearty Stew Italian Sausage Ragu
This sausage ragu is a perfect winter meal. Hearty and guaranteed to warm your bones on a blustery night. Serves 2.
This sausage ragu is a perfect winter meal. Hearty and guaranteed to warm your bones on a blustery night. Serves 2.
Fettuccini Carbonara - From Italy with Bacon
I fell in love with Fettuccini Carbonara when I was in college and waiting tables at a restaurant. I got the recipe from the chef and it became a regular in my repetoire. Serves 2.
I fell in love with Fettuccini Carbonara when I was in college and waiting tables at a restaurant. I got the recipe from the chef and it became a regular in my repetoire. Serves 2.
Chicken Piccata - Light, Quick, Delicious
Piccata is typically a dish made with veal scaloppini, but it's just as good when made with chicken breasts, something I almost always have in the freezer. Serves 2.
Piccata is typically a dish made with veal scaloppini, but it's just as good when made with chicken breasts, something I almost always have in the freezer. Serves 2.
Veal Scaloppini with Feta Cheese Sauce
This recipe for veal scaloppini with a feta cheese sauce is wonderfully quick and easy. It only takes minutes to make and yet is quite a treat. Serves 2.
This recipe for veal scaloppini with a feta cheese sauce is wonderfully quick and easy. It only takes minutes to make and yet is quite a treat. Serves 2.
Curried Shrimp in Puff Pastry
Curried shrimp is a quick, easy, and even elegant main dish suitable for a special occasion. Serves 2.
Curried shrimp is a quick, easy, and even elegant main dish suitable for a special occasion. Serves 2.