ArcaMax

PITTSBURGH -- Summer entertaining comes with some definite perks.

Menus are more relaxed because we’re often cooking simple foods like burgers or chicken on the grill, and with farmers markets in full swing, there are so many seasonal fruits and vegetables available that virtually any recipe is easy to source.

Being in vacation mode also ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — When it comes to grilling, one day stands above all the others year after year: July 4.

Last year, an estimated 70% of mid- to high-end grill owners cooked their holiday meals on charcoal or gas grills, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association. And we’ll probably do it again this coming Independence Day.

...Read more

CHICAGO -- Joe Frillman, owner and executive chef of Daisies in Chicago’s Logan Square, was thrilled when he first learned that the restaurant was awarded a Michelin Green Star for sustainability in 2024. He said his first thought was a resounding, slightly surprised, “Wow!”

Not because it was a jaw-dropping shocker — Daisies’ very ...Read more

Immerse yourself in the delight of French cheese and Mediterranean fruit with these toasts. Captivating Camembert Fig Toasts are a quick yet delectable treat.

Ingredients French bread Camembert cheese FigsInstructions Toast the French bread slices.

Spread Camembert cheese on each slice.

Top with sliced ...Read more

These quick fajitas will transport you to a lively Tex-Mex celebration right in your kitchen. It’s all sizzle without the struggle.

Ingredients: 1 lb chicken or beef, sliced 1 bell pepper, sliced 1 onion, sliced 1 packet fajita seasoning 2 tbsp vegetable oil Tortillas for servingInstructions: In a large pan, cook ...Read more

Bring the charm of an Italian countryside to your lunch table with this heartwarming dish. Wholesome Wheat Pasta is a love letter to simple, home-cooked meals.

Ingredients Whole wheat pasta Olive oil GarlicInstructions Cook the pasta as per package instructions.

Sauté garlic in olive oil and toss the cooked pasta ...Read more

This quick and delightful pasta dish is as simple as it is satisfying. A true Italian classic that’s perfect for a quick, weekday meal.

Ingredients: 200g spaghetti 4 cloves garlic 1/2 cup olive oil 1 tsp red pepper flakes Salt to taste 1/4 cup chopped parsleyInstructions: Cook the spaghetti as per the package ...Read more

This blueberry crisp captures a perfect balance between sweet summer blueberries and tart lemon flavors. Topped with a streusel laced with warming spices and baked to perfection, this is the perfect summer dessert paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Frozen blueberries work well too. Because they retain more liquid and are a little less ...Read more

It’s hard to beat a day of hiking in one of our glorious National Parks. Well, unless dessert at sunset includes a warm serving of s’mores bread pudding! Seated at an outdoor patio just outside of Zion National Park, hikers hit the jackpot with this dessert.

S’mores, a quintessential American sweet treat perfect for the Fourth of ...Read more

Q: Is ghee healthier than butter?

A: Ghee is a type of clarified butter that has been used in cooking for centuries. Recently, it has become popular as a possible healthier alternative to butter. While ghee and butter are very similar, ghee does have a few benefits in certain situations.

One advantage of ghee is that it can be heated to higher...Read more

I developed this recipe at that particular time of the year in New England where the weather is warmer, but only just, and it’s raining all the time. This lightly sweet, fruity cocktail is a delightful mix of gin, fresh lemon juice, and blackberry liqueur. Similar to other bright, refreshing cocktails, like the homeandleisure/recipes/varietymenu/s-4235682">Read more

As a Seriously Simple cook, I develop ways to streamline and reinterpret classic dishes. Sometimes the traditional dishes don’t need much alteration. Case in point, these two classic salads are always welcome on a picnic or barbecue event. Little adjustments like apple in the slaw and celery seed in the potato salad are familiar tiny twists.

...Read more

A sponge cake (also called a foam cake) is a light and tender cake that gets its texture from whipped eggs. Cakes like angel food, genoise, chiffon, and homeandleisure/recipes/varietymenu/s-4235679">Read more

My friend Norma insisted I try this dinner, telling me it was the best salmon she had ever tasted. It was a recipe she’d received from her friend Sofi. After making it myself, I understood exactly what she meant.

I’ve adapted it here for a quick and easy salmon dinner that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. The secret lies in a simple yet vibrant...Read more

LOS ANGELES -- It was approaching noon on a recent Saturday and a small crowd was forming outside of Southern Girl Desserts, a now-closed cookie shop at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw shopping plaza.

"Are you here for Daisy's tour?" Each person asked as they approached the group. We introduced ourselves while we waited for host Daisy Miles to ...Read more

PITTSBURGH -- If you love the fiery kick of Buffalo sauce, chances are you’ve reached for it countless times over the years to sauce up wings served at a tailgate, or to add some oomph to one of Pittsburgh’s favorite party appetizers — Buffalo chicken dip.

The classic and irresistible pairing of fat and acid is nothing short of genius; ...Read more

A recent article in the New Yorker magazine made an observation that struck me like an olive of truth: Every generation since Hemingway's has revived the martini.

I like to think that my own discovery of the martini predated the current 'tini trend.

It was probably more than a few years ago, but not quite as many as several, that I suddenly ...Read more

Experience a surprise in your midday meal with Midday Mystery Egg Salad Wrap. The creaminess of the egg salad wrapped in a soft tortilla is as intriguing and satisfying as a midday mystery.

Ingredients 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped 2 tablespoons mayonnaise Salt and pepper to taste 1 tortilla wrap Lettuce leaves for ...Read more

This vibrant veggie stir-fry is like a rainbow on your plate. It's a quick, healthful, and tasty solution to your midday hunger.

Ingredients: 2 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell pepper, carrot, etc.) 2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp sesame oil 1 tsp ginger 1 tsp garlic Salt and pepper to tasteInstructions: Heat the ...Read more

This speedy take on the classic Italian dessert, Tiramisu, is perfect for a quick yet elegant dessert. It’s a little bite of Italian heaven that's ready in no time.

Ingredients: 200g ladyfingers 1 cup espresso 1 cup mascarpone cheese 1/4 cup sugar Cocoa powder for dustingInstructions: Dip the ladyfingers briefly in ...Read more