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Salmon Cakes
When I told my friend Betsy Goldstein (superb cook, food lover, and Once Upon a Chef right hand) about these salmon cakes, she said, “Hmmm…I think I’ll wait until some of the reviews roll in to try...
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Cocktail Meatballs
Throw away those old kitschy cocktail meatball recipes that call for grape jelly and frozen meatballs — these are easy-to-make and so much better. You’ll love that they’re baked, not fried, and the...
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Zucchini Fritters with Feta and Dill
The word fritter usually conjures up something heavy and deep-fried, but these zucchini fritters are as light as can be. Serve them as a light vegetarian meal or mezze (small plate) with tzatziki and a...
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Restaurant-Style Salsa Recipe
Utterly addictive, this bright and spicy restaurant-style salsa recipe combines blistered vine-ripened tomatoes, onions, garlic and chiles with fresh cilantro and lime. It is unique from most salsas,...
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Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas
Crisp tortillas filled with gooey melted cheddar and shredded chicken in a sweet and smoky chipotle sauce — these are the best quesadillas! The recipe is adapted from the website of Curtis Stone, one...
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Baked Brie en Croûte with Honey, Dried Cherries, Rosemary & Pecans
I would love to think it’s my “engaging personality” that makes me popular at parties but, if I’m being honest, I know it’s really my baked brie — a warm and creamy round of brie topped with honey,...
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Broiled Feta with Garlicky Cherry Tomatoes & Capers
Burst cherry tomatoes, capers, and a flash under the broiler transform an ordinary block of feta into a surprisingly addictive and flavorful spread. It’s meant to serve four as a starter, but with a...
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Thai Minced Chicken Lettuce Cups
This dish is similar to Larb Gai, the Thai dish made from minced chicken, fish sauce, lime juice, chilies, and fresh herbs. The combination of sweet, salty, tangy and spicy flavors makes it highly...
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Maryland Crab Cakes with Quick Tartar Sauce
When you live in Maryland, eating Chesapeake blue crabs and crab cakes is practically a religion—and, in my family, we are all loyal devotees. Every summer, we hit all of our favorite crab shacks, from...
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Sweet, Spicy, Salty Candied Pecans (AKA “Crack Nuts”)
Photo by Alexandra Grablewski (Chronicle Books, 2018) My husband calls these candied pecans “crack nuts” because they’re madly addictive. They’re perfect to serve with cocktails, toss over salads or...
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Hummus
I first learned how to make authentic hummus in a tiny hole-in-the-wall (literally!) kebab and hummus shop in the Old City of Jerusalem. So, for me, that traditional hummus has always been the standard...
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Smoked Salmon Dip
If you’re ever in need of a festive and elegant dish to make for a party (and aren’t we all right about now?), this smoked salmon dip will really save the day. You can serve it with crackers and...
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Creamy Whipped Feta Dip
This creamy whipped feta dip is an American riff on htipiti, the salty and tangy Greek feta spread typically served as part of a Mediterranean mezze. It’s super easy to make. You simply combine feta...
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Thai-Style Minced Chicken Lettuce Cups
This recipe is based on Larb Gai, the popular Thai dish made from minced chicken, fish sauce, lime juice, chilies, and fresh herbs. You can have it on the table in 30 minutes, and it can be served in...
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Creamy Whipped Feta Dip
This creamy whipped feta dip is an American riff on htipiti, the salty and tangy Greek feta spread typically served as part of a Mediterranean mezze. It’s super easy to make. You simply combine feta...
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Hummus
Hummus is a Middle Eastern spread made from a blend of chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and spices. It’s commonly served as a starter or mezze, paired with pita bread, or as a side to...
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Pretzel Bites
It’s a good thing these pretzel bites are easy to whip up with very few ingredients because they disappear in record time when served with grainy mustard or beer cheese dip. They’re perfect for game...
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Best Spinach Artichoke Dip (Restaurant-Style)
Creamy, cheesy, and brimming with veggies, spinach artichoke dip is a surefire hit at any gathering. While most homemade versions rely on cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise, restaurant chefs...
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Beer Cheese Dip
Perfect for game day or any time you’re having people over, beer cheese is a melty cheese dip made from lager, sharp Cheddar, nutty Gruyère, and other seasonings. It’s essentially a twist on Mornay...
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Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
I love crispy chicken wings but not always the thought of deep-frying. Grilled chicken wings are a great option in the summertime, but what’s a wing lover to do the rest of the year? Baked chicken...
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