Other (non-main dish)

Chile, Cilantro & Garlic Vinegar

Erin McCormick — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 16:09:12 +0000

Stir this chile-, cilantro- and garlic-infused vinegar into a mixture of chopped fresh tomatoes, onions and fresh cilantro for an instant salsa. Or combine with an equal portion of canola oil and a generous pinch of salt and use as a marinade for steak or chicken. The recipe makes enough vinegar so you’ll have extra to decant into a decorative bottle or two to give away as a simple homemade gift.

Fennel, Orange & Star Anise Vinegar

Erin McCormick — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 16:05:34 +0000

Fennel, Orange & Star Anise Vinegar

Try this vinegar infused with fennel, orange and star anise in Asian-inspired dishes. Combine with soy sauce, chopped scallions, ginger and a pinch of sugar and use it as a sauce for a chicken-broccoli stir-fry. Or try it drizzled over hot-and-sour soup. The recipe makes enough vinegar so you’ll have extra to decant into a decorative bottle or two to give away as a simple homemade gift.

Oregano, Rosemary & Marjoram Vinegar

Erin McCormick — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 16:01:28 +0000

Oregano, Rosemary & Marjoram Vinegar

Try this oregano-, rosemary-and marjoram-infused vinegar drizzled over tomatoes and fresh mozzarella or combine with olive oil and a little Dijon mustard to make a quick dressing for pasta salad. The recipe makes enough vinegar so you’ll have extra to decant into a decorative bottle or two to give away as a simple homemade gift.

Pearl Onion, Celery & Pickling Spice Vinegar

Erin McCormick — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 15:57:26 +0000

Pearl Onion, Celery & Pickling Spice Vinegar

Try this vinegar infused with onion, celery and pickling spice as a quick seasoning for steamed potatoes or roasted cauliflower or combine with an equal portion of olive oil and use as a marinade for steamed beets. The recipe makes enough vinegar so you’ll have extra to decant into a decorative bottle or two to give away as a simple homemade gift.

Raspberry-Thyme Vinegar

Erin McCormick — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 15:54:09 +0000

Raspberry-Thyme Vinegar

This beautiful raspberry- and thyme_infused vinegar works well in vinaigrettes. Combine with walnut oil and a pinch of salt and toss with baby spinach and goat cheese for a quick salad. Or stir into a little bit of raspberry preserves and use as a glaze for pork tenderloin. The recipe makes enough vinegar so you’ll have extra to decant into a decorative bottle or two to give away as a simple homemade gift.

Shallot, Tarragon & Lemon Vinegar

Erin McCormick — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 15:49:31 +0000

Shallot, Tarragon & Lemon Vinegar

Stir a little of this shallot-, tarragon- and lemon-infused vinegar and some fresh chopped tarragon into reduced-fat cream cheese and try it as a spread for crackers. Top with a piece of smoked salmon for an instant appetizer. Or combine the vinegar with a little olive oil, low-fat mayonnaise and chopped celery and use as a dressing for tuna salad. The recipe makes enough vinegar so you’ll have enough extra to decant into a decorative bottle or two to give away as a simple homemade gift.

Lisa's Granola

Nifer — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:06:18 +0000

Lisa's Granola

This easy cinnamon-spiked granola is loaded with almonds, walnuts and pepitas, but substitute other nuts and seeds if you prefer. For vegans who don’t eat honey, this can be made with all maple syrup.

Easy Whole-Grain Crepes

Erin McCormick — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:50:50 +0000

Easy Whole-Grain Crepes

This basic recipe makes a tasty wrap for any type of filling. In this method, we fold the crepe into a square leaving a little “window” in the middle to show off what’s inside, but you can simply roll the crepe over a filling or fold it in half. Try lightly sweetened ricotta and a drizzle of apricot jam inside or, for a savory crepe, fill the crepes with sautéed spinach, mushrooms and garlic.

Sugared Rosemary

Sarah Hoff — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:41:17 +0000

Sugared Rosemary

Use these festive-looking sugared fresh rosemary sprigs to decorate any holiday dessert platter. They look especially beautiful alongside a traditional yule log cake.

Candied Walnuts

Sarah Hoff — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:29:52 +0000

Candied Walnuts

Use these pretty candied walnuts as a dessert garnish. Try them on top of a pumpkin cheesecake or your favorite holiday dessert.

Meringue Mushrooms

Sarah Hoff — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:07:50 +0000

Meringue Mushrooms

Use these meringue mushrooms to decorate any yule log cake. The recipe makes enough to decorate your serving platter and have plenty left over for each serving of cake.

Chocolate Pretzel & Cherry Popcorn Balls

Erin McCormick — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 20:43:03 +0000

Chocolate Pretzel & Cherry Popcorn Balls

These popcorn balls are made with agave nectar and peanut butter and are spiked with chocolate-covered pretzels and dried cherries for a special treat. Try making them for your Halloween party this year.

Sesame-Ginger Popcorn Balls

Erin McCormick — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 20:38:27 +0000

Sesame-Ginger Popcorn Balls

Caramel popcorn balls made with crystallized ginger and sesame seeds are a fun twist on the original recipe. They’re sure to be a hit at your next Halloween party.

Super-Simple Vegetable Broth

Erin McCormick — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:11:40 +0000

Super-Simple Vegetable Broth

This very easy broth is just right as a base for many vegetarian soups. Recipe by Anna Thomas for EatingWell

Rhubarb Fruit Salad

Erin McCormick — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:50:18 +0000

Rhubarb Fruit Salad

Rhubarb cooked with a little honey and orange liqueur makes a bright, tangy “sauce” to toss with grapes, melon, mango and strawberries.