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Herbed Jalapeño Potato Salad
A bright, creamy dressing made with fresh herbs and jalapeño livens up potato salad and gives it freshness. The mild chile pepper lends crisp flavor more than heat, so it brightens meals with grilled meats and pairs equally well with seafood. Since summer meals at my home often include both, I love sides such as this that work whether you opt for slices of steak, a crab cake, or both. For this creamy potato salad, I start with the smallest baby potatoes I can find, then halve them after cooking for the perfect bite size pieces. A mix of gold, red, and blue potatoes lends beautiful color, which makes it…
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Essential Menu for a Cinco de Mayo Feast
Mexican food and culture are irresistible to me – the warmth, the spices, the influence of the ancient. Cinco de Mayo is a day to celebrate it all. Often confused with Mexico’s Independence Day, the holiday actually commemorates the Mexican victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla and has evolved into a broader celebration of Mexican culture, particularly in the U.S. Here are my essential recipes for a Cinco de Mayo inspired feast. The Appetizer: Stuffed Jalapeño Skins No need to fry these stuffed jalapeños, since they get a crispy coating during a bake in the oven. They also have three kinds of cheese, fresh herbs, and chorizo,…
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Stuffed Jalapeño Skins
Perhaps the coziest time to be in the kitchen is after the snow falls, bouncing light between its crystals and making everything just so quiet. While I was working on this recipe, gorgeous light filtered through the window, allowing me to capture the smooth green of jalapeños which would soon be split and seeded. Harvested when young, they were the color that comes to mind when we think of this type of chile, but scarlet jalapeños can be found as well, their redness a sign of maturity and growing heat. In the middle of winter I crave foods that bite, not only with heat but with crispness that stings just…
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Pickled Cherry Pico de Gallo
If you made last week’s cherries, I hope you reserved some. As promised, I am sharing this Mexican recipe as another way for you to enjoy your quick pickled treats. Beyond tapas and charcuterie boards, give your meal a delicious twist by adding a pickled flavor to your pico. Whether you prefer carnitas or a vegetarian taco, this topping works incredible well with traditional Mexican flavors. Also known as salsa fresca, pico de gallo is a combination of chopped tomatoes, onions, peppers, and seasoning that can be layered on tacos or enjoyed with tortilla chips. As the word fresca suggests, it is a salsa made from the freshest ingredients left…
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Rosemary Jalapeño Lemonade
When lemons caramelize on the grill, they become sweeter and slightly smoky. Combine their juice with a rosemary and jalapeño simple syrup, and you add fresh, green flavor that makes lemonade reminiscent of an infused cocktail.
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