ArcaMax

I gave colleague Maureen Tomczak a slice of my (truly fabulous) Basque cheesecake, and the memories came flooding back to her.

Basque cheesecake is sublimely light and decadently rich. The taste of it brought her back to her high school days in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, when she worked as a waitress at the Woolworth’s in River Roads ...Read more

When I want a small meal of bold flavors, I turn to beans.

Versatile, easy and delicious, they make a fabulous summer salad or, on chilly nights, a glorious soup. I like to keep local beans from the farmers markets in my summer pantry. They’ve been recently harvested and they cook more quickly than those that have been sitting in bags on the ...Read more

Looking for a light and refreshing dinner to kick off summer? This quick and easy dish comes together in just minutes.

I tossed sautéed chicken and toasted walnuts into a classic Caesar salad, creating a perfect balance of textures and flavors. The crisp romaine, creamy tang of the dressing, and savory crunch of the walnuts make every bite ...Read more

It’s not uncommon to try crisp white wines and rich reds at a UC Davis viticulture and enology party. But at Wednesday’s soiree, the grapes were crushed, juices fermented, wines packaged and bottles designed entirely by students — and you can get a taste, too.

Wine production students are now getting the opportunity to share the wine they...Read more

This light and flavorful caprese pizza is ready when the tomatoes are just heated through and the mozzarella cheese is slightly melted. If you want a little more on this pizza, it would be delicious with a few slices of prosciutto. Let your dough come up to room temperature before you stretch it — it’ll make it much easier to work with.

...Read more

If you’re looking to help curb hunger and limit excessive snacking, choosing the right kinds of foods can make a big difference in these efforts. Certain foods can help promote satiety, which can help keep you feeling fuller for longer. Here are three of our favorites:

1. Oats are high in fiber, especially beta-glucan, and ...Read more

When the weather begins to turn warm, I find myself wanting lighter dishes but still with plenty of color and pizzazz. I have made this salad three times in the last couple of weeks, and each time I am so pleased with how it tastes and looks.

I’ve also slightly changed up the recipe each time I make the dish. Sometimes, for example, I’ll ...Read more

Chicken spaghetti is a uniquely American dish in the lineup of classic comforting casseroles. With tender noodles and shredded chicken baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce, it’s historically made with canned cream soups and some kind of vegetable like tomatoes or ...Read more

Blackened seasoning (aka blackening seasoning) is a smoky and spicy spice blend that brings bold flavor to everything from pan-seared shrimp and homeandleisure/recipes/varietymenu/s-3737900">Read more

My wife asked me if it had been worth it. If all the time and effort were worth it.

Of course it was, I said. A good meal is always worth it.

The saga of the Big Meal That Was Totally Worth It, Maybe, began with a single bunch of broccoli in the refrigerator. It was just beginning to turn a little bit yellow at the very tips, meaning it did ...Read more

"Cooking to the President's Taste" (White House Historical Association, $45) was inspired by a fortuitous discovery.

Author Adrian Miller was researching another book, his James Beard Award-winning "The President's Kitchen Cabinet," when he came upon an "as told to" autobiography of chef Lee Ping Quan, who served under Presidents Warren Harding...Read more

Philadelphia is famous for its cheesesteak sandwiches.

Yet, if you've ever been to the city's Reading Terminal Market on Arch Street in Center City (a favorite haunt when I was in paralegal school), you've probably also seen the long lines in front of Tommy DiNic's. (If you know, you know.)

The star of this iconic sandwich counter, which has ...Read more