ArcaMax

If you asked many food lovers to sum up August in two words, I would bet that right near the top of the list of responses you'd find "tomatoes" and "grilling."

We're now at the peak of tomato season. Home gardens and farmers' markets stalls are bringing us a special delight with their wide assortment of heirloom tomatoes -- old-fashioned ...Read more

Just about everybody is familiar with some variation on that old expression, "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen." It has been attributed to plain-speaking President Harry Truman, who used it to explain his attitude about the need to handle the pressure of important government work. Nowadays, I often hear people using the saying ...Read more

Here we are in the heart of grilling season, a time when people who love outdoor cooking will look for any excuse to fire up the grill. Enthusiasts happily toss just about any ingredient on the fire, from heads of radicchio or Belgian endive quickly charred for a delicious salad to kabobs, sausages, burgers, fish fillets, steaks and chops to ...Read more

We're entering the height of summer's tomato season. Right now, when I visit my favorite organic farmers, any friend's home garden or a farmers' market, I am thrilled to see an abundance of sun-ripened tomatoes of every size, shape and color.

I can't get enough of tomatoes, and I'm sure you feel the same way. Whether they're tiny grape tomatoes...Read more

Though I was born and grew up in Austria, I have now lived in the United States for almost 45 years and I am proud to be a citizen. America has offered me amazing opportunities, and every day I feel grateful to live in this country.

The Fourth of July has always been a special day to me. I love the relaxed, old-fashioned ways we ...Read more

Most people dream about great burgers whenever they fire up the grill. After all, what could be a more perfect example of the all-American pleasures of outdoor cooking? But more and more people are trying to eat leaner food these days, especially during swimsuit season, which often leads them to limit their red meat intake.

The latest diet fads...Read more

The summer solstice, on June 21, 2018, marks the sun's annual arrival at its highest point in the sky and is the beginning of the most leisurely days of the year for most people. Most children are off from school, and many families plan vacations. We enjoy days by the pool or at the beach and take meals outdoors with picnics or ...Read more

When Father's Day rolls around, many children and their moms will be wracking their brains to come up with last-minute ideas for great gifts to give Dad. According to a recent survey I've seen, these are, in order, the top four gifts fathers receive.

1. A special outing, whether it's a trip to a ballgame or an amusement park or ...Read more

One of the great pleasures of cooking and eating during warmer weather is relaxing with family and friends over a glass of wine and homemade hors d'oeuvres. In fact, the term "hors d'oeuvre" itself nicely sums up the experience.

Literally meaning "outside the work" in French, hors d'oeuvre refers to dishes that stand apart from the rest of a ...Read more

We're all used to the fact that modern shipping now makes it possible for us to enjoy most varieties of fresh berries year round. Whether it is blueberries, raspberries, strawberries or something more exotic, we can walk into any supermarket and usually find those plump, juicy, sweet jewels whenever we crave them.

But berry lovers also know ...Read more

"What should I grill?" That's a question many Americans ask as they face the unofficial start of summer grilling season on Memorial Day.

If you, like many others, love how fire and smoke enhance the appeal of just about any food, I'd like to suggest that you consider finding new ways to step up your grilling game. Sure, burgers, ...Read more

People living in tropical climates understand the role that eating spicy foods can play in helping them adjust to the weather. A subtle or not-so-subtle jolt of chilies or the sweet-hot glow of fresh ginger (or similar seasonings) can warm you up from the inside when chilly breezes are blowing. And, interestingly, those same ingredients can cool...Read more

Every mom wants to be indulged in some way on Mother's Day. For many of us, that means treating her to a special brunch. And it can be especially nice if you cook the meal for her. (If you're a mother reading this article right now, I suggest you find a way to slip it in front of your husband or your kids who old enough to cook. ...Read more

"I think I'd like a salad for lunch." That's something I've heard from so many guests in my restaurants ever since I started cooking in Los Angeles back in the mid-1970s. The request reflected the belief that if you sat down to a big plate or bowl filled mostly with fresh greens, you were eating healthfully.

Of course, today most of us know it'...Read more

I recently learned that, from the earliest days of the U.S. space program, astronauts were served a breakfast of steak and eggs before blasting off on their mission. That made sense to me. Combining a sensible portion of meat with some eggs and a few vegetables gives you a protein-rich, energy-packed start to your day. No wonder the great boxer ...Read more

With the help of natural talent, education, experience and lots and lots of repetition, a pro in any pursuit can almost always make whatever he or she does look easy. Whether it's an artist painting a beautiful landscape, a golfer sinking a long putt, a screen star bringing tears to your eyes or a chef cooking a delicious meal, all such experts ...Read more

Some dishes are so iconic that, the moment you hear the name, you think of one recipe alone. Imagine, for example, chicken pot pie, blueberry pancakes, beef stew, clam chowder, or chocolate chip cookies. Sure, there can be all sorts of different recipes for them and ways to prepare them; and some could be much better than others. But it takes a ...Read more