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Baked Figs with Cheese, Honey & Herbs
When figs are in season, we need plenty of ways to enjoy their deep sweetness – and to add a savory dimension. One of my favorites is to bake figs with goat cheese (though you can substitute Brie, blue or another cheese), honey, a touch of olive oil and flaky sea salt. In about 10 minutes I have the most delicious appetizer or snack, and it’s luscious enough that I often scoop all that goodness onto a cracker. The lovely part about this roasted fig and cheese recipe is that you can adjust it based on how many you plan to serve. As you can see, I often bake up…
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Root Vegetable Gratin
Spiraled in a baking dish, root vegetables form the base of a delicious gratin that can be served as fittingly for Thanksgiving or any holiday as it can be for an indulgent weeknight dinner. Potatoes give a familiar and comforting flavor while beets, turnips, rutabaga, and other varieties lend a bit more interest, with the choice of customization completely yours. Red beets are particularly delicious, though they do cause the entire dish to become quite tinged with their color. For this reason, you may wish to opt for the golden variety. As a holiday dish, this one disappears quickly and can take the place of mashed potatoes if you are…
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Autumn Harvest Salad with Cheddar, Grapes, Pear, and Maple Crunch Topping
Autumn arrives with an abundance of cool-weather greens and a new crop of fruit, both of which are made better with the toasty edge this maple crunch topping lends to a seasonal salad. The ingredients in this fall salad recipe are fit for a cheese plate, so opt for the best aged cheddar you can find. Bosc pears add their bronze color and characteristic juiciness to the mix, and a dressing with reduced apple cider contributes more classic fall fruit goodness. When making the maple crunch topping, feel free to use your preferred nuts and/or seeds or make use of what you already have on hand in the pantry. A combination…
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Caesar Dressing
Lighter than most creamy versions, this homemade Caesar dressing is packed with the flavors of the classic but relies on Greek yogurt as its base. If you love Caesar dressing as a salad topping or dip, this recipe will satisfy your cravings and make you feel just a bit better about using extra. While you’re changing things up, feel free to veer from the traditional romaine lettuce and add in some different greens or change up the vegetables altogether. As a final touch, I highly recommend slices of delicious garlic bread on the side instead of croutons. When I am inspired to make traditional favorites in new ways, Greek yogurt…
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Holiday Cheese Board
Spark holiday cheer by creating a festive board brimming with an assortment of cheeses, charcuterie, and accompaniments both beautiful and delicious. When I make a cheese board, I start with the vintage wooden round seen here then build around the moment it will be served. Heading into New Year’s Eve, I thought about the sweetness to be wished for the months ahead, incorporating raspberry jam, deep honey, blackberries, and gorgonzola dolce, which has a buttery sweetness. Aged gouda lends its own hint of butterscotch while truffle-laced pecorino and herb-crusted salami offer bold richness. As you build a holiday cheese board, here are tips on what to include and how to…
