Shredded Carrots with Jalapeño, Lime & Cilantro

Sweet, tender carrots get a kick from minced fresh chiles in this simple no-cook slaw.

• 
  
  8 medium carrots (about 1-1/2 lb.)
  
  


• 
  
  1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  
  


• 
  
  3 Tbs. fresh lime juice
  
  


• 
  
  1 medium jalapeño, cored, seeded, and minced
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
  
  


• 
  
  Whole cilantro leaves for garnish (optional)
  
  

Peel and then grate the carrots using either the large holes on a box grater or a food processor fitted with a medium grating attachment. Put the grated carrots in a large bowl.

In a small bowl, whisk the oil and lime juice. Add the jalapeño and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Add the dressing and chopped cilantro to the carrots and toss. Season to taste with salt and pepper, garnish with the cilantro leaves (if using), and serve.

Fennel Layered with Potatoes & Breadcrumbs (Tortiera di Finocchi e Patate)

Take care to make the potato slices equally thin so they cook evenly. A mandoline or other vegetable slicer makes the job easier, but you can also do it by hand with a sharp knife.

• 
  
  2 lb. yellow potatoes, such as Yukon Gold
  
  


• 
  
  1 large fennel bulb, trimmed (3/4 to 1 lb. after trimming)
  
  


• 
  
  1 cup firmly packed fresh breadcrumbs
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 cup freshly grated pecorino (preferably Tuscan) or Parmigiano-Reggiano
  
  


• 
  
  3 Tbs. finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  
  


• 
  
  2 medium cloves garlic, minced
  
  


• 
  
  6 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for the baking dish
  
  


• 
  
  2-1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  
  


• 
  
  Freshly ground black pepper
  
  

Tip:

To make fresh breadcrumbs, use a dense, day-old French or Italian country-style loaf. Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and process in a food processor until fine.

Peel the potatoes and slice them as thinly as possible, between 1/16 and 1/8 inch thick (use a mandoline if you have one). Put the sliced potatoes in a large bowl of cold water to keep them from browning.

Cut the fennel in half lengthwise. Slice the halved fennel crosswise as thinly as possible, between 1/16 and 1/8 inch thick. You should have about 4 cups.

In a bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, and garlic. Mix well with your hands, making sure the garlic is evenly distributed.

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400ºF.

Lightly oil the bottom and sides of a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Without draining the potatoes, use your hands to lift out about one-third of the slices and arrange them in the bottom of the baking dish, overlapping them slightly. (The water clinging to them will generate steam as they bake.) Season with 1/2 tsp. of the salt and a couple of grinds of the pepper. Sprinkle the potatoes evenly with 1/4 cup of the breadcrumb mixture. Drizzle with 1 Tbs. of the oil. Top the potatoes with half of the sliced fennel, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the fennel with 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/4 cup of the breadcrumb mixture, and 1 Tbs. of the oil. Repeat this layering process, ending with a top layer of potatoes. Season the top layer with the remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and some more pepper. Top with the remaining breadcrumb mixture and the final 2 Tbs. oil.

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes (be sure the aluminum foil is sealed tightly all around the baking dish, or there won’t be enough steam to cook the potatoes). Uncover and continue baking until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the top is golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes longer. Let rest at least 10 minutes before serving. The tortiera is as good warm as it is hot.

Basic Roasted Broccoli

You can jazz up this basic recipe by adding Rosemary-Lemon Thyme Oil or Moroccan Spice Rub when you toss the broccoli with olive oil and salt and pepper before roasting. Or toss the broccoli with Sesame Sea Salt, Caramelized Shallot Butter, Ginger-Lemon Soy Splash, or Toasted Coriander & Garlic Oil after they come out of the oven.

• 
  
  1 lb. broccoli crowns
  
  


• 
  
  1 to 3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 tsp. kosher salt; more to taste
  
  


• 
  
  Freshly ground black pepper
  
  


• 
  
  Fresh lemon juice (optional)
  
  

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 475° F. Line a heavy-duty rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Trim and peel the broccoli stem; slice it into 1/4-inch-thick disks. Where the stem starts to branch out, split the florets though the stem so that each piece is 1-1/2 to 2 inches wide. In a medium bowl, toss the broccoli with enough of the olive oil to coat generously, the salt, and a few grinds of pepper.

Turn the broccoli out onto the baking sheet and arrange the pieces so that they are evenly spaced. If the pieces cover the baking sheet sparsely, arrange them toward the edges of the baking sheet for the best browning. Roast until the floret tops begin to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir and continue to roast until tender, 3 to 6 minutes.

Return the broccoli florets to the bowl in which you tossed them with the oil, or put them in a clean serving bowl. If they seem a bit dry, drizzle them with a little more oil. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and lemon juice, if using.

Broiled Asparagus and Artichokes with Vermouth Brown Butter

Frozen artichoke hearts are a rushed cook’s secret weapon. Here, they’re broiled with asparagus for deep flavor in minutes. If you don’t have any vermouth on hand for the sauce, you can use dry white wine instead.

• 
  
  1 lb. asparagus, trimmed of tough, woody stems, and cut into 2-inch pieces
  
  


• 
  
  12 oz. frozen artichoke quarters, thawed and patted dry
  
  


• 
  
  1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  
  


• 
  
  3 Tbs. salted butter
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. dry (white) vermouth
  
  


• 
  
  1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  
  

Position a rack 6 inches from the broiler element and heat the broiler on high. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss the asparagus and artichokes with the olive oil, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Broil until browned and tender, about 6 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until fragrant and beginning to brown, about 1-1/2 minutes. Carefully whisk in the vermouth (it will splatter). Toss the asparagus and artichokes with the brown butter and the lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

Corn, Sweet Onion & Zucchini Sauté with Fresh Mint

• 
  
  2 Tbs. unsalted butter
  
  


• 
  
  1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
  
  


• 
  
  1-1/2 cups small-diced sweet onion, such as a Vidalia (about 7 oz. or half a large onion)
  
  


• 
  
  1 tsp. kosher salt; more to taste
  
  


• 
  
  1-1/4 cups small-diced zucchini (about 6 oz. or 1 medium-small zucchini)
  
  


• 
  
  2 slightly heaping cups fresh corn kernels (from 4 medium ears)
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. minced garlic
  
  


• 
  
  Scant 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  
  


• 
  
  Scant 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
  
  


• 
  
  2 to 3 Tbs. chopped fresh mint
  
  


• 
  
  One-quarter lemon
  
  


• 
  
  Freshly ground black pepper
  
  

Melt 1 Tbs. of the butter with the olive oil in a 10-inch straight-sided sauté pan or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the onions and 1/2 tsp. of the salt, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 min. Uncover, raise the heat to medium, and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are light golden and shrunken, another 3 to 4 min.

Add the remaining 1 Tbs. butter and the zucchini. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is slightly shrunken and almost tender, about 3 min. Add the corn, garlic, and the remaining 1/2 tsp. salt. Cook, stirring frequently and scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon, until the corn is tender but still slightly toothy to the bite, 3 to 4 min. (It will begin to intensify in color, glisten, and be somewhat shrunken in size, and the bottom of the pan may be slightly brown.) Add the cumin and coriander and cook, stirring, until very fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Remove the pan from the heat, add all but about 1/2 Tbs. of the mint, a good squeeze of lemon, and a few generous grinds of pepper. Stir, let sit 2 min., and stir again, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan (moisture released from the vegetables as they sit will loosen the bits). Season to taste with more salt, pepper, or lemon. Serve warm, sprinkled with the remaining mint.

Grilled Tomatoes with Saba and Sea Salt

Saba is a syrupy condiment from Italy made from reduced unfermented grape juice. Balsamic vinegar is a good substitution if reduced until slightly syrupy.

• 
  
  8 small tomatoes (3 to 4 oz. each) cored and halved crosswise
  
  


• 
  
  1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
  
  


• 
  
  3 Tbs. saba
  
  


• 
  
  Flaky sea salt, such as Maldon
  
  

Prepare a medium-high gas or charcoal grill fire. Brush the cut sides of the tomatoes with the olive oil. Grill the tomatoes cut side down until charred, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a platter, cut side up. Drizzle the tomatoes with the saba and sprinkle with salt to taste. Serve immediately.

Brown Butter Summer Squash Linguine

Hoorah! There’s finally a great way to cook summer squash, that poor unfortunate victim of too many “vegetable medleys,” in which the overgrown squash is thickly sliced, overcooked, and served in a pool of liquid. Young squash—diced small and cooked fast—are yummy. Even better, if you treat yourself to a really cool hand tool—a julienne peeler, which only costs about seven dollars—you can make the quickest, tastiest squash dish ever.
In this recipe, I quickly sauté the “linguine” in brown butter for a super-fast side dish. You could just wrap it up with salt and a squeeze of lemon, but I’ve added almonds, as nutty flavors pair really well with all squashes. (Hazelnuts are good here, too.) You can substitute zucchini for half of the summer squash, if you like.
Watch the video series Homegrown/Homemade: Squash to see Fine Cooking's Sarah Breckenridge make this recipe.

• 
  
  1-1/2 lb. young yellow (summer) squash (about 4)
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. unsalted butter
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. finely chopped almonds or hazelnuts
  
  


• 
  
  1 tsp. kosher salt
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. chopped fresh tarragon or parsley
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 lemon
  
  

Wash and dry the squash and trim off the ends. Using a julienne peeler, peel the squash lengthwise all the way around, dropping the strips into a bowl. Continue peeling until you reach the seed core. Discard the core and peel the other squash in the same fashion. Toss the squash strips and separate any that are clumping together.

In a 10-inch straight-sided sauté pan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the almonds and swirl the butter around in the pan. Cook the butter until it reaches a nutty brown color (the almonds should be light brown by then), about 2 minutes. The color turns quickly so keep an eye on it—it will be more flavorful if you take it beyond a very light brown, but you don’t want it to turn black. Immediately add the squash and salt. Toss the squash gently with tongs until it is well coated with the butter. Continue cooking just until the squash becomes slightly limp, about 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in half of the chopped herbs, and squeeze a little of the lemon over the squash and toss. Taste and add more lemon, if desired. Transfer the squash to a serving dish or plates and garnish with the remaining herbs.

Creamed Corn with Shallots

Forget canned or frozen creamed corn. Once you try this version, made with fresh corn, shallots, butter, and cream, you’ll never go back. Remove as much of the flavorful corn “milk” from the cob as possible for the best flavor.

• 
  
  5 ears fresh corn
  
  


• 
  
  1 Tbs. unsalted butter
  
  


• 
  
  1/4 cup minced shallots
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 cup heavy cream
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt
  
  


• 
  
  1/8 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
  
  


• 
  
  Freshly ground black pepper
  
  

Slice the kernels from the corn to yield 3 cups (don’t cut too deeply; you want only the tender tips of the kernels). Put the kernels in a medium bowl and reserve the cobs. Working with one cob at a time, stand it on its end in the bowl and scrape the back of the knife down the sides to release the corn “milk.”

Melt the butter in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring, until softened, 1 minute. Add the corn, cream, and 1/2 tsp. salt and simmer gently, stirring often, until the cream has thickened, about 4 minutes. Stir in the nutmeg, season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

Corn Sauté with Canadian Bacon, Potatoes & Peppers

Canadian bacon and potatoes make this corn sauté hearty enough to stand alone as a light main course, but it also makes a wonderful side dish or a zesty bed for grilled or roasted meat or fish.

• 
  
  2 Tbs. unsalted butter
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 cup small-diced Canadian bacon (3 oz.)
  
  


• 
  
  1 cup small-diced red onion (from about a 6-oz. onion)
  
  


• 
  
  1 cup small-diced red potato (from about a 5-oz. potato)
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 cup small-diced green bell pepper (from three-quarters of a 3-oz. pepper)
  
  


• 
  
  1 tsp. kosher salt; more to taste
  
  


• 
  
  2 slightly heaping cups fresh corn kernels (from about 4 medium ears)
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. minced garlic (2 medium cloves)
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. thinly sliced fresh chives
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 tsp. green Tabasco; more to taste
  
  


• 
  
  Freshly ground black pepper
  
  


• 
  
  One-half lemon
  
  

Melt 1 Tbs. of the butter and 1 Tbs. of the olive oil in a 10-inch straight-sided sauté pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the Canadian bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is brown around the edges, about 4 min. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.

Add the remaining 1 Tbs. butter and 1 Tbs. olive oil to the pan. Add the onion, potato, bell pepper, and 1/2 tsp. of the salt. Reduce the heat to medium low, cover, and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions and peppers are well softened and the potatoes are barely tender and starting to brown, 5 to 7 min.

Uncover, increase the heat to medium, and add the corn, garlic, and the remaining 1/2 tsp. salt. Sauté, stirring frequently and scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon, until the corn is tender but still slightly toothy to the bite, 3 to 5 min. (The corn should be glistening, brighter in color, and somewhat shrunken in size, and the bottom of the pan will be slightly brown.)

Remove the pan from the heat, add the parsley, chives, Tabasco, a few generous grinds of pepper, and a small squeeze of lemon. Stir, let sit 2 min., and stir again, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. (Moisture released from the vegetables as they sit will loosen the bits.) Fold the Canadian bacon into the dish, season to taste with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice. Serve warm.

Charred Radicchio with Sweet-and-Sticky Balsamic and Bacon

The soft grilled leaves of bitter radicchio respond well to the sticky-sweet acidity of good balsamic vinegar. It fills the mouth with bitter sweetness, a well-matched foil to grill-roasted leg of lamb. And the bacon makes it all better, because that’s the great culinary virtue of smoky, fatty cured pork.

for the vinaigrette

• 
  
  2 Tbs. sherry vinegar
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs.finely chopped shallots
  
  


• 
  
  1 tsp. red pepper flakes
  
  


• 
  
  1 tsp. garlic paste (1 to 2 cloves mashed with a pinch of salt)
  
  


• 
  
  Pinch each of sea or kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
  
  


• 
  
  1 tsp.dried oregano
  
  

For the radicchio

• 
  
  1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  
  


• 
  
  1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  
  


• 
  
  4 to 5 heads radicchio, quartered and core trimmed
  
  


• 
  
  16 to 20 slices bacon
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. aged balsamic vinegar
  
  


• 
  
  1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. chopped fresh chives
  
  

Preheat the grill to medium-low.

Make the vinaigrette

Whisk all the ingredients together in a small bowl.

Prepare and grill the radicchio

Put the radicchio in a large bowl and drizzle with just enough vinaigrette to coat lightly, tossing gently.

Lay a slice of bacon on a work surface and wrap a radicchio quarter tightly in the bacon, starting from the bottom end and continuing to just shy of 1/4-in. from the top. Repeat with the remaining bacon and radicchio.

Put the radicchio quarters on the oiled clean grill grate and cook until crispy and golden on the first side, about 2 minutes. Turn and cook until crisp and golden on the second side, about 2 minutes, then turn and cook until crisp and golden on the third side.

Transfer the radicchio to a platter. Drizzle with the balsamic vinegar and olive oil, sprinkle with the chopped chives, and serve.

Carrot Mash with Orange and Mint

This brightly colored mash has a tantalizing flavor that’s ideal with rich lamb dishes. A touch of hot sauce keeps the sweetness of the orange in check.

• 
  
  2 lb. carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt
  
  


• 
  
  1 oz. (2 Tbs.) unsalted butter, cut into 2 pieces
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. heavy cream
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
  
  


• 
  
  1-1/2 Tbs. finely chopped fresh mint
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 tsp. finely grated orange zest; more as needed
  
  


• 
  
  Hot sauce, such as Tabasco, to taste
  
  

Put the carrots in a 4-quart saucepan with enough cool water to cover by at least 1 inch. Add 1 tsp. salt and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down and cook at a gentle boil until the carrots can be easily pierced with a fork, about 25 minutes.

Drain well in a colander, letting the steam rise for a few minutes. Meanwhile, heat the butter, cream, oil, mint, orange zest, 1/2 tsp. salt, and a dash of hot sauce in the saucepan over low heat until the butter is melted.

For a rustic texture, return the carrots to the pan and mash with a potato masher to the consistency you like.

For a smooth texture (shown), purée the carrots in a food processor until smooth and then add them to the pan, stirring well to combine.

Season to taste with more orange zest, salt, or hot sauce before serving.

Basic Roasted Butternut Squash

You can jazz up this basic recipe by adding Rosemary-Lemon Thyme Oil or Moroccan Spice Rub when you toss the butternut squash with olive oil and salt and pepper before roasting. Or toss the butternut squash with Sesame Sea Salt, Caramelized Shallot Butter, Ginger-Lemon Soy Splash, or Toasted Coriander & Garlic Oil after it comes out of the oven.

• 
  
  1 lb. butternut squash, peeled and cut into 3/4- to 1-inch pieces
  
  


• 
  
  1 to 3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 tsp. kosher salt; more to taste
  
  


• 
  
  Freshly ground black pepper
  
  


• 
  
  Fresh lemon juice (optional)
  
  

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 475° F. Line a heavy-duty rimmed baking sheet with parchment. In a medium bowl, toss the butternut squash with enough of the olive oil to coat generously, the salt, and a few grinds of pepper.

Turn the butternut squash out onto the baking sheet and arrange the pieces so that they are evenly spaced and lying on a cut side. If the pieces cover the baking sheet sparsely, arrange them toward the edges of the baking sheet for the best browning. Roast until the squash is browned on bottom, 15 minutes. Flip and roast until tender, 5 to 10 minutes.

Return the butternut squash to the bowl in which you tossed it with the oil, or put it in a clean serving bowl. If the squash seems a bit dry, drizzle it with a little oil. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and lemon juice, if using.

Sautéed Broccoli Raab with Chile, Garlic & Lemon

The assertive flavors and bright-green color of this side make it a perfect pairing for salmon or chicken. It also goes well with starchy dishes like risotto and pasta.
Some people delight in broccoli raab’s full, undiluted flavor; I find that blanching tempers the bitter note to a more pleasing level and allows other flavors to have their say. For blanching instructions, see the tip below; and for more information on broccoli raab, check out the full article.

• 
  
  3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
  
  


• 
  
  1 Tbs. minced garlic (2 to 3 large cloves)
  
  


• 
  
  Scant 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  
  


• 
  
  Finely grated zest of half a lemon; plus fresh lemon juice to taste
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  
  


• 
  
  1 lb. broccoli raab, rinsed, trimmed, and blanched (see tip at right)
  
  

Tip:

To blanch, drop trimmed (but uncut) broccoli raab into boiling salted water. After two minutes (even if the water hasn't returned to a boil), drain and refresh under cold water.

Put the oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a 10- to 12-inch skillet over medium-low heat. Cook until the garlic is fragrant and starts to sizzle slightly, about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low if the garlic starts to brown. Stir in the lemon zest, 1/4 tsp. salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Raise the heat to medium high and add the broccoli raab, turning to thoroughly coat in the oil and spices. Turn frequently, until it is heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Turn off the heat, sprinkle lemon juice over the broccoli raab, toss again, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Creamy Polenta-Stuffed Heirloom Tomatoes

• 
  
  1 Tbs. butter
  
  


• 
  
  1 Tbs. diced shallot
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 tsp. minced garlic
  
  


• 
  
  3 cups lower-salt chicken broth
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 cup heavy cream
  
  


• 
  
  1 cup polenta (such as Bob's Red Mill brand)
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 Tbs. chopped fresh thyme
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary
  
  


• 
  
  1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  
  


• 
  
  8 large Roma-style heirloom tomatoes
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. chopped parsley
  
  

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the shallot and garlic and cook, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the cream and then whisk in the polenta. Reduce the heat to a simmer, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Add the thyme and rosemary and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the polenta is tender, creamy, and thick, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in 1/4 cup of the cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Position a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 400° F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Halve the tomatoes lengthwise and hollow them out. Cut a very thin slice off the bottom of each tomato half so the filled tomato can lie flat without rolling. Arrange the tomatoes on the baking sheet and season them lightly with salt. Fill each tomato half with some of the polenta, mounding just slightly (depending on the size of your tomatoes, you may or may not use all the polenta). Sprinkle the remaining 2 Tbs. of cheese and the parsley over each. Bake until the tomatoes are soft, about 20 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

Spicy Glazed Onions

Sweet little onions get a kick from cayenne and make an elegant accompaniment to roast beef. Cipollini onions are ideal here because they’re small enough to serve whole but big enough that peeling them isn’t a chore. Pearl onions are a good though slightly more-labor-intensive substitution if cipollini aren’t available.Web extra: View an audio slideshow to hear the sound of the glaze as it crackles, indicating that it’s time to lower the heat.

• 
  
  1 lb. cipollini or pearl onions, ends trimmed, with some root end left intact
  
  


• 
  
  1 oz. (2 Tbs.) unsalted butter
  
  


• 
  
  1 Tbs. honey
  
  


• 
  
  Pinch to tsp. cayenne
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt
  
  


• 
  
  1/4 tsp. white wine vinegar; more to taste
  
  

Have ready a large bowl of ice water. Bring a 4- to 5-quart pot of water to a rolling boil and add the onions. Cook for 1 minute, drain, and transfer to the bowl of ice water. Swish the onions around until they’re chilled. Remove them from the water and peel; the skins should come off easily when you rub them with your fingers, though some may need a paring knife.

Put the onions in an 8-inch-wide, 3- to 4-quart saucepan and arrange snugly. Add the butter, honey, cayenne, 1/2 tsp. salt, and enough water to just cover the onions (about 2 cups). Bring to a boil over high heat.

Cook over high heat, shaking the pan occasionally, until the liquid has reduced to a syrupy glaze and the onions are tender, about 10 minutes. (If the glaze is done before the onions, add about 1/2 cup water and continue to cook. If the onions are done first, remove them and continue to boil the liquid until syrupy.)

Lower the heat to medium low, add the white wine vinegar and toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and serve. (The glazed onions can be kept warm, covered, for about 20 minutes.)

Arugula, Carrot & Celery Root Salad with Almonds

This salad has everything going for it—spicy arugula, sweet grated carrots and celery root, crunchy almonds—all topped off with a vibrant honey-mustard vinaigrette.
Watch a video of Laurie Buckle demonstrating how easy it is to make your own vinaigrette.

• 
  
  2 Tbs. apple cider vinegar
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. honey
  
  


• 
  
  1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  
  


• 
  
  6 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  
  


• 
  
  6 medium carrots (1 lb.)
  
  


• 
  
  1 medium celery root (3/4 to 1 lb.)
  
  


• 
  
  6 lightly packed cups baby arugula (about 6 oz.)
  
  


• 
  
  3/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
  
  


• 
  
  1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  
  

In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar, honey, and mustard. Whisk in the oil and season with 1/2 tsp. salt and a few grinds of pepper.

Peel and trim the carrots and celery root and then grate them in a food processor fitted with a medium grating disk. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the arugula, half of the almonds and half of the cilantro; toss with the vinaigrette. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with the remaining almonds and cilantro and serve.

Braised Fennel with Orange

Orange juice and zest and citrusy coriander seeds underscore the sweetness of tender braised fennel. The beauty of this dish is that it’s delicious hot, warm, or at room temperature.

• 
  
  3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil 
  
  


• 
  
  4 medium fennel bulbs (about 4 lb. total), stalks trimmed and bulbs cut into quarters (cores left intact), fronds reserved for garnish 
  
  


• 
  
  2 medium cloves garlic, thinly sliced 
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 cup dry white wine or dry white vermouth 
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 cup lower-salt chicken broth 
  
  


• 
  
  1 medium navel orange 
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 tsp. fennel seeds, toasted and lightly crushed 
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 tsp. coriander seeds, toasted and lightly crushed 
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt
  
  


• 
  
  Freshly ground black pepper
  
  

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 325°F. 

Heat 2 Tbs. of the oil in a heavy-duty 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the fennel, cut side down. Cook undisturbed until browned in spots, about 2 minutes. Flip and repeat on the other cut sides.

Arrange the fennel browned sides up in a large (10x14-inch) gratin or shallow baking dish. Add the remaining 1 Tbs. oil to the skillet and repeat with the remaining fennel. Lower the heat to medium if any smoking occurs. It’s OK if the wedges are snug in the baking dish; they’ll shrink as they braise. 

Add the garlic to the skillet and and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the wine and scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to dissolve any browned bits, about 1 minute. Add the broth and simmer to meld the flavors, about 2 minutes. Pour over the fennel. 

With a vegetable peeler, remove three 3-inch strips of zest from the orange and then juice the orange. Nestle the pieces of zest in the fennel and pour the juice over. Sprinkle with the fennel seeds, coriander seeds, 1 tsp. salt, and a few grinds of pepper. 

Cover the dish tightly with foil and braise in the oven until the fennel has collapsed and a paring knife penetrates the cores with no resistance, about 1-1/4 hours.

Spoon some braising liquid over the fennel, garnish with the reserved fronds, and serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.

Basic Roasted Carrots

You can jazz up this basic recipe by adding Rosemary-Lemon Thyme Oil or Moroccan Spice Rub when you toss the carrots with olive oil and salt and pepper before roasting. Or toss the carrots with Sesame Sea Salt, Caramelized Shallot Butter, Ginger-Lemon Soy Splash, or Toasted Coriander & Garlic Oil after they come out of the oven.

• 
  
  1 lb. carrots, peeled
  
  


• 
  
  1 to 3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 tsp. kosher salt; more to taste
  
  


• 
  
  Freshly ground black pepper
  
  


• 
  
  Fresh lemon juice (optional)
  
  

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 475° F. Line a heavy-duty rimmed baking sheet with parchment. If carrots are thick, cut in half crosswise to separate the thick end from the thin end; halve the thick end lengthwise. Cut all the carrot segments crosswise into 1-inch lengths. In a medium bowl, toss the carrots with enough of the olive oil to coat generously, the salt, and a few grinds of pepper. If using a flavoring before roasting, toss it with the carrots now.

Turn the carrots out onto the baking sheet and arrange the pieces so that they are evenly spaced and lying on a cut side. If the pieces cover the baking sheet sparsely, arrange them toward the edges of the baking sheet for the best browning. Roast the carrots until lightly browned on bottom, 12 to 15 minutes. Flip and continue to roast until the carrots are tender and slightly shriveled, 3 to 5 minutes.

Return the carrots to the bowl in which you tossed them with the oil, or put them in a clean serving bowl. If they seem a bit dry, drizzle them with a little oil. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and lemon juice, if using.

Korean Bean Sprouts (Kong Namul)

One of several banchan, or side dishes that round out a Korean barbecue menu, these crunchy sprouts are imbued with nutty flavor from sesame oil and roasted sesame seeds. You can find soybean sprouts in the produce section of Asian markets and well-stocked supermarkets. It’s a bit tedious to trim the straggly ends, but well worth the effort in both appearance and taste.

• 
  
  4 oz. fresh soybean sprouts, stringy root ends trimmed
  
  


• 
  
  1 small scallion, both white and green parts, very thinly sliced (1-1/2 Tbs.)
  
  


• 
  
  1 medium clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. Asian sesame oil
  
  


• 
  
  2 tsp. roasted sesame seeds
  
  


• 
  
  1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  
  

Mix all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan with 1/4 cup water and bring to a simmer over medium high heat. Lower the heat to maintain a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, just until the sprouts are wilted, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl and let cool to room temperature before serving.

Grilled Asparagus with Parsley-Tarragon Chimichurri

Chimichurri—a garlicky Argentinian herb sauce—is traditionally made with parsley as the primary herb. Here, the addition of fresh tarragon makes it an ideal partner for meaty grilled asparagus. Throw some steaks on the grill while you make the sauce, and dinner is done.

• 
  
  2 lb. asparagus, trimmed of tough, woody stems
  
  


• 
  
  2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
  
  


• 
  
  Kosher salt
  
  


• 
  
  2 medium cloves garlic
  
  


• 
  
  1 cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves and tender stems
  
  


• 
  
  1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  
  


• 
  
  1/4 cup loosely packed fresh tarragon leaves
  
  


• 
  
  1 Tbs. Champagne vinegar
  
  


• 
  
  1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  
  

Prepare a high gas grill or charcoal fire.

In a large bowl, toss the asparagus with the olive oil and 1/2 tsp. salt. Grill, turning once, until just tender, about about 4 minutes total; return to the bowl.

In a food-processor, chop the garlic. Add the parsley, olive oil,
tarragon, vinegar, red pepper flakes, and 1/4 tsp. salt and purée. Toss
with the asparagus and serve.