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Roast Pork with Herb Rub

I hope you haven’t put away your electric knife. The weeks between Thanksgiving and January 1st are peak time for roasts. In general, the offerings here are faster than anything you’d do in a slow cooker, but feature the same walk-away ease.

You can season the outside simply, do the roasting in advance if you like, and nibble away on the leftovers for the rest of the week. As a bonus, while the roast rests you turn the pan drippings into a quick sauce.

By Kerri Conan Published December 5, 2022

Mark and Kerri's Excellent Adventure

We spent a couple days together winging it in the kitchen.

By Mark Bittman Published December 2, 2022

Find Comfort By Feeding the Fire in Your Belly

Chipotle-Tuna Quesadillas. Photo: Kerri Conan

By Kerri Conan Published November 7, 2022
Chipotle-Tuna Quesadillas

Chipotle-Tuna Quesadillas

Making quesadillas in the oven is virtually hands-off. Plus, you have the advantage of making a big batch in one fell swoop. A quick smoky-spicy tuna salad helps keep these on the light side, though if you want to up the cheese factor you can push the jack a bit. I vote for corn tortillas here but recognize that’s a minority position. Flour is always a sure winner

By Kerri Conan Published November 7, 2022

Strange and Wonderful

A few tricks turn familiar recipes into unexpected treats

By Kerri Conan Published October 24, 2022
Pumpkin Spice Rice

Pumpkin Spice Rice

Pumpkin spice has become a total joke, right? Except this cross between pilaf and risotto is actually really good, extremely hands-off, and makes way more sense than a syrupy sweet latte. To carve this savory side into a meal, start by browning chopped sausage or chicken or turkey thighs or crumbled beans or tempeh before adding the shallot.

By Kerri Conan Published October 24, 2022
Scrambled Egg Salad

Scrambled Egg Salad

Starting egg salad this way is a shortcut to boiling and peeling eggs. And the results are creamy—never squeaky—in your mouth. In addition to all the usual places for egg salad, this version is perfect as a topping on plain rice, a spread for crackers, or alongside simply steamed vegetables.

By Kerri Conan Published October 24, 2022

Warm-Punched Riesling (or Fancy Grape Juice)

Mulled wine meets Creamsicle, preferably in a pretty teacup. If Riesling doesn’t float your marshmallow, choose something else on the sweet side to balance the warmth of vanilla and brightness of orange peel, like muscadet or muscato, tawny or ruby port, or even an ice wine.

By Kerri Conan Published October 22, 2022

Winter Margaritas (or Hibiscus-Lime Tea)

Margaritas, the ultimate beach drink, have many fair-weather fans. But roiling surf and sandy shores can be appealing in winter, too. Grab a flannel blanket and a thermos of these—let’s go.

By Kerri Conan Published October 22, 2022

Brown-Buttered Bourbon (or Apple Cider)

A foggy and nostalgic night last week inspired this toasty Holiday spin with bourbon. But you can stick with rum or brandy if you like. And the warmed buttered cider is a delicious option for kids, too. 

By Kerri Conan Published October 22, 2022

Make Better Food for School or Office Lunch

Real-world assemble-and-conquer strategies

By Kerri Conan Published September 15, 2022

Herb Sauce

This simple and flexible purée is for whenever you want the full-on taste of concentrated fresh herbs. Gardeners: go ahead and pluck leaves and tender stems from a variety of plants; combinations can be delicious, provided you’re mindful that those with woody stems—rosemary, oregano, lavender, thyme, and mint—are more intense than grassy herbs like parsley, dill, cilantro, and chives. If you’re buying herbs, usually one big bunch is plenty for this recipe.

Use herb sauce within a few days; there’s no point in freezing it. Though you certainly can. (And if you mold it into ice cubes and seal them in an airtight container, a cube or two will provide a welcome burst of flavor throughout the winter braising season.)

By Kerri Conan Published August 29, 2022

When Road Food Makes the Trip

A mix of packing and snacking makes the miles fly by

By Kerri Conan Published August 11, 2022

The Comfort Conundrum

Seeing Kraft’s new mac and cheese box forced me to open a can of worms

By Kerri Conan Published July 27, 2022

Kerri’s Yay! Leftovers! Series

Episode 1 – Yay! Leftovers!: No idea is too wacky when you look at your…

By Kerri Conan Published July 15, 2022

Mixed Herb Vinaigrette

Maximum flavor, perfectly emulsified. For a slightly creamy dressing, add two tablespoons (or more!) mayonnaise, cream, whole milk yogurt, or sour cream to the blender before pureeing. I like to garnish the salad with black pepper at the last minute rather than add it to this herb dressing.

By Kerri Conan Published June 29, 2022

Salad Nights

Kerri Conan

By Kerri Conan Published June 29, 2022

How To Up Your Herb Game

By Kerri Conan Published May 16, 2022
Grilled (or Broiled) Pork Tenderloin with Herbed Bread Crumbs

Grilled (or Broiled) Pork Tenderloin with Herbed Bread Crumbs

Putting crumb crust on meat, fish, poultry, or vegetables can be a challenge, especially if you plan to use a lot of herbs or cook the food on the grill. Much easier and foolproof to separate the dish into two components. Besides better control of cooking the “main thing,” you end up with all the full-flavored crunch you wanted, the herbs don’t get scorched by the flames, and there might even be some topping leftover to garnish something else tomorrow. All you need on the side are cooked vegetables or a salad.

By Kerri Conan Published May 16, 2022
Chickpea Tabbouleh

Chickpea Tabbouleh

Traditional tabbouleh is all about the herbs, though many recipes spin it into a bulgur-parsley-and-tomato salad. Mark has this week’s budget recipe version that keeps the herbs in full view but swaps mashed chickpeas for the bulgur and loads in extra chopped vegetables. The result is a flexible warm-weather dinner that’s economical, too, since parsley is the least expensive fresh by the bunch. Consider dill and/or mint sprigs as optional additions.

By Kerri Conan Published May 16, 2022