ArcaMax

I couldn't believe it.

Then my wife showed me the story right there in the newspaper. And I still can't believe it.

I used to work for the New York Times, by which I mean I delivered their Sunday newspapers for a few months when I was young. But I still feel a connection to them — and I assume they have equally warm thoughts of me. So I tend...Read more

A new year is often challenging. Despite knowing we should throw out old, bad habits along with the New Year's Eve party favors, change is hard.

Many of us eat more than we should. Yet nothing changes for the better — especially in terms of health — when we keep eating those bad-for-us-but-tasty processed junk foods that are high in sugar, ...Read more

Those battling chronic illness know what a long, difficult battle it is to get well again, understanding all too well that old sentiment, You don’t realize how important your health is until you lose it.

Today, too many Americans live sick. They’re fighting rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, diabetes. Many are battling cancer...Read more

Celebrate the lingering glow of a summer twilight with this Summer Twilight Berry Sorbet. This refreshing dessert combines the sweet-tart flavor of summer berries with the crisp chill of a sorbet, creating a dish as vibrant and refreshing as a summer sunset.

Ingredients 2 cups of mixed summer berries 1 cup of sugar 1 cup of ...Read more

This one-pot chicken and cabbage soup is topped with flavor-boosting store-bought pesto. Big, fiber-rich butter beans add a creamy bite, but you can easily swap them out for cannellini beans or navy beans if you prefer. This soup works well with leftover chicken — simply shred or chop cooked chicken and add it to the soup to reheat once the ...Read more

True to its appearance, the artichoke has a bit of a prickly lore.

The folklore

The Ancient Greeks credit Zeus with the creation of the artichoke. As punishment for the deception of his mortal seductress-turned-goddess, he transformed her into the artichoke plant, with spiky petals guarding her resilient heart. The artichoke ...Read more

Rice pudding is one of those sweet desserts I yearn for in the cold, dreary winter months. It seems many cultures have their own variations on this simple dish, including arroz con leche, India’s kheer, Greek rice pudding or Italian rice pudding, to name a few.

Rice pudding can be baked or cooked on the stovetop. I like this stovetop recipe ...Read more

Soup reigns as one of the most satisfying winter meals. Good, hot soup from the big kettle chock-full of flavors and textures warms everyone.

Canned soup reminds us of sick days home from school. On busy weeknights, we level up with soups from the supermarket refrigerated deli section. Twenty minutes gives us time to blend store-bought broth, ...Read more

The first time I went to visit my best friend in London, she insisted we go to a traditional Sunday roast. While the roast beef was exceptional, the real standout to me was the traditional sticky toffee pudding served at the end of the meal. It was decadent without being cloyingly sweet, and felt somehow celebratory and comforting all at the ...Read more

French hachis Parmentier is the kind of dish that sneaks up on you. At first glance, it’s humble — ground beef, onions, and carrots baked beneath a layer of mashed potatoes — but just like its cousin, homeandleisure/recipes/varietymenu/s-3973011">Read more

One benefit of being a food editor is that I get the opportunity to try out recipes from the latest cookbooks, often before they have even made it onto store shelves. It keeps me on my toes with what's trending, and over the years it has had the fringe benefit of greatly expanding my culinary skills.

But these days, I'm also tempted on a daily ...Read more

I was floating down the currents of the Internet, which is rarely a good idea, when I encountered a food question that shook me to my core.

This was the question: "My partner made spaghetti, but didn't rinse the pasta. I couldn't eat it or serve it. Isn't rinsing pasta a must?"

The question made my blood boil, and then it made my blood run ...Read more

Looking to add more flavor and keep salmon fillets moist, I sautéed them on a bed of creamy spinach and seasoned them with garlic and dill. The result was tender, flavorful salmon with a touch of freshness from the herbs.

For a colorful and easy side, I mixed quick-cooking couscous with roasted red peppers. The couscous takes just five ...Read more