NPR Columns: Kitchen Window

NPR Columns: Kitchen Window http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4578972&ft=1&f=4578972 Each Wednesday, NPR's Kitchen Window comments on food and entertaining. Find new recipes and download the Kitchen Window podcast. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:51:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Kitchen Window http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4578972&ft=1&f=4578972 Cooking For One: A Privilege, Not A Chore In the run-up to a holiday synonymous with cooking huge feasts for crowds of hungry loved ones, it's easy to lose sight of the joy of making dinner solo. Food writer Nicole Spiridakis says it's one of life's simple pleasures — a chance to ask, "What would <em>I</em> really like tonight?" Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:51:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120787920&ft=1&f=4578972 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120787920&ft=1&f=4578972 In the run-up to a holiday synonymous with cooking huge feasts for crowds of hungry loved ones, it's easy to lose sight of the joy of making dinner solo. Food writer Nicole Spiridakis says it's one of life's simple pleasures — a chance to ask, "What would I really like tonight?"

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]]> A Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Because holiday meals traditionally are laden with flour-heavy foods, the season can be tough for those new to a gluten-free lifestyle. But it's easy to leave out wheat products and still have delicious favorites like stuffing and pie. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:09:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120503651&ft=1&f=4578972 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120503651&ft=1&f=4578972 Because holiday meals traditionally are laden with flour-heavy foods, the season can be tough for those new to a gluten-free lifestyle. But it's easy to leave out wheat products and still have delicious favorites like stuffing and pie.

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]]> Demystifying The Quince Those who haven't discovered the beguiling fragrance and subtle flavor of the quince might turn up their noses at the rock-hard, waxy-skinned fruit in the market. But the holidays are high time for a revival of this nostalgic relative of apples and pears. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:11:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120288799&ft=1&f=4578972 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120288799&ft=1&f=4578972 Those who haven't discovered the beguiling fragrance and subtle flavor of the quince might turn up their noses at the rock-hard, waxy-skinned fruit in the market. But the holidays are high time for a revival of this nostalgic relative of apples and pears.

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]]> Foods Of Michoacan Are Forever It's no wonder that Michoacan state is known as "the soul of Mexico." Food writer Patricia Jinich finds Michoacanos generous, warm, hospitable and caring, and she can't get enough of their comforting cuisine. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:28:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120062592&ft=1&f=4578972 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120062592&ft=1&f=4578972 It's no wonder that Michoacan state is known as "the soul of Mexico." Food writer Patricia Jinich finds Michoacanos generous, warm, hospitable and caring, and she can't get enough of their comforting cuisine.

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]]> No Visa Needed For Good Cuban Food With Congress considering relaxing its nearly 50-year-old restrictions on travel to Cuba, many Americans are salivating at the prospect of visiting the forbidden island. But a taste of Cuba can be found much closer to home — in your own kitchen. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:54:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114209157&ft=1&f=4578972 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114209157&ft=1&f=4578972 With Congress considering relaxing its nearly 50-year-old restrictions on travel to Cuba, many Americans are salivating at the prospect of visiting the forbidden island. But a taste of Cuba can be found much closer to home — in your own kitchen.

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]]> Octopalooza: Eight Arms Three Ways A full-grown octopus is a lot to take on in the kitchen, but the babies are tender and unintimidating — and can be had for a very persuasive price. Cook them fast and hot, or cook them low and slow. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:56:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113980290&ft=1&f=4578972 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113980290&ft=1&f=4578972 A full-grown octopus is a lot to take on in the kitchen, but the babies are tender and unintimidating — and can be had for a very persuasive price. Cook them fast and hot, or cook them low and slow.

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]]> Cooking With Beer A staple in many cultures since ancient Egyptian times, beer can be a fixture in your kitchen, too. Pour a bit of brew into a pot, pie or cake — then drink the rest. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:37:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113747902&ft=1&f=4578972 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113747902&ft=1&f=4578972 A staple in many cultures since ancient Egyptian times, beer can be a fixture in your kitchen, too. Pour a bit of brew into a pot, pie or cake — then drink the rest.

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]]> Rethinking Rice What's a rice lover to do when the steamy, fluffy stuff has lost some of its appeal? Food writer Pat Tanumihardja set out to expand her rice repertoire — and found some cool alternatives. Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:10:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113531383&ft=1&f=4578972 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113531383&ft=1&f=4578972 What's a rice lover to do when the steamy, fluffy stuff has lost some of its appeal? Food writer Pat Tanumihardja set out to expand her rice repertoire — and found some cool alternatives.

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]]> Corn Pudding, End-Of-Summer Showstopper When the days grow shorter and corn is harder to come by, the ears smaller and less plump, turn to corn pudding for the perfect marriage of butter and corn. The sweet, silky concoction could be called "carnal pudding," but we'll just call it heavenly. Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:18:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113310116&ft=1&f=4578972 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113310116&ft=1&f=4578972 When the days grow shorter and corn is harder to come by, the ears smaller and less plump, turn to corn pudding for the perfect marriage of butter and corn. The sweet, silky concoction could be called "carnal pudding," but we'll just call it heavenly.

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]]> Freezer Jam: A Baby Step To Canning Afraid to take the plunge into traditional canning? Wade in instead by making freezer jam, which follows the same process — without the heat. It's a simple, delicious way to preserve the fruits of summer. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:36:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113079746&ft=1&f=4578972 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113079746&ft=1&f=4578972 Afraid to take the plunge into traditional canning? Wade in instead by making freezer jam, which follows the same process — without the heat. It's a simple, delicious way to preserve the fruits of summer.

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]]> Open Your Mind (And Your Mouth) To Okra If you're intimidated by this sometimes-slimy Southern favorite, take baby steps: Try it stewed in a flavorful casserole or gumbo, or fried crisp in a cornmeal coating. Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112761034&ft=1&f=4578972 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112761034&ft=1&f=4578972 If you're intimidated by this sometimes-slimy Southern favorite, take baby steps: Try it stewed in a flavorful casserole or gumbo, or fried crisp in a cornmeal coating.

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]]> Taming The Wild Beach Plum If you've never seen a beach plum, you're not the only one. They only grow in sandy, coastal areas — and some years, the gnarly, windblown bushes just don't bear fruit at all. Fortunately, there are ways to enjoy them now, and ways to spread them out between years of plenty. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:52:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112560982&ft=1&f=4578972 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112560982&ft=1&f=4578972 If you've never seen a beach plum, you're not the only one. They only grow in sandy, coastal areas — and some years, the gnarly, windblown bushes just don't bear fruit at all. Fortunately, there are ways to enjoy them now, and ways to spread them out between years of plenty.

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]]> Beyond Fried Calamari That plateful of crispy, tender little rings, often dunked in dipping sauce, bears little resemblance to its squirmy source. But food writer Domenica Marchetti suggests saluting the squid — aka calamari — by serving it in all its "tentacular" glory. Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:35:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112440237&ft=1&f=4578972 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112440237&ft=1&f=4578972 That plateful of crispy, tender little rings, often dunked in dipping sauce, bears little resemblance to its squirmy source. But food writer Domenica Marchetti suggests saluting the squid — aka calamari — by serving it in all its "tentacular" glory.

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]]> Making A Meal Of Greek Meze A collection of small, flavorful dishes called meze are a common evening meal in the Mediterranean, but journalist Joanna Kakissis finds they're a great way to make friends in the U.S., too. Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:25:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112208400&ft=1&f=4578972 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112208400&ft=1&f=4578972 A collection of small, flavorful dishes called meze are a common evening meal in the Mediterranean, but journalist Joanna Kakissis finds they're a great way to make friends in the U.S., too.

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]]> Falling In Love With Lavender If you're infatuated with lavender's slightly spicy, earthy aroma, you'll love the flavor of this flowering relative of mint. Try it in nearly anything: from cocktails, to roasted vegetables and meats, to creamy desserts. Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111990747&ft=1&f=4578972 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111990747&ft=1&f=4578972 If you're infatuated with lavender's slightly spicy, earthy aroma, you'll love the flavor of this flowering relative of mint. Try it in nearly anything: from cocktails, to roasted vegetables and meats, to creamy desserts.

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