Punch has a long history of getting people convivially schnockered. As an alcohol delivery mechanism, it predates even the cocktail. (Apparently, on a single evening George Washington and a party of friends drank seven bowls of the stuff, among other things.) A Bit About Brandy in Punch Brandy is a hard liquor made from grapes – think of it as wine’s boozier cousin. Although it has faded from the scene a bit, brandy was once a very popular choice for cocktails....

Maybe for fear of being unable to create a cake that resembled hers, I waited years to attempt a recipe of my own. A yearning for a taste of her pound cake and a coconut cake I ate at a street fair inspired me to finally try. An Easy Peasy Any Day Pound Cake This coconut pound cake comes together with just a few simple ingredients: flour, butter, sugar, sour cream, and unsweetened shredded coconut and coconut milk for a boost of coconutty flavor....

Here in the Pacific Northwest we have Dungeness crabs. They’re ginormous compared to their East Coast Maryland crab brethren, typically weighing in between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 pounds apiece. In California, they’re in season in the winter, though further North you can easily get them any time of year. With all that heft, Dungeness crab have plenty of meat for making the most delectable, delightful crab cakes. These homemade crab cakes are a step-up riff off a recipe I found years ago in Ruth Reichl’s Comfort Me with Apples....

As I started to dive deeper into the site, I realized we didn’t have a cream cheese version and I couldn’t sleep until we had one up. Why? Because cream cheese and banana bread are basically best friends, don’t you know? The creamy texture of the cream cheese mixture complements the banana bread so well and adds a depth of flavor that will make you swoon. Once I started testing different ways to incorporate that cream cheese flavor, I knew I didn’t want just a layer of cream cheese—I wanted SWIRLS of it....

The cookie recipe is a slight adaptation of an excellent walnut cookie by Martha Stewart, featured in her book, Cookies, a veritable cookie bible. The pecan cookie is like a tangy shortbread cookie, studded with toasted pecans. Eat ’em up yum! Add the sugar and vanilla and beat for another minute. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour and salt until just combined. Do not over-mix....

All is good; these cucumbers make their way into numerous cucumber salads, which are particularly refreshing on hot summer days. This cucumber salad is simply dressed with a sesame tahini and lemon juice dressing, and tossed with chopped red onion and fresh herbs. We’re using basil, mint, and parsley, because we have them all growing in the garden. But you could use any of those herbs on their own if you wanted....

“Have you ever had a pork burger?,” Paul asked, eyes bright. Upon hearing my response in the negative, Paul added, “You have to try my wife Phyllis’ pork burgers. They’re amazing.” Thinking of burgers made out of pork, I can’t say I was convinced, even when he continued, “Everyone in Iowa eats pork burgers.” But when Paul pointed out his wife’s recipe in the Niman Ranch Cookbook I saw the light....

There are 3 tricks to this simple drink. The first is to make simple syrup by boiling water with the sugar first, so that the sugar is completely dissolved. The second trick is to infuse the simple syrup with some of the zest from the limes; this makes it taste even limey-er (yes, not a word, but you get my drift). Finally plop some fresh mint sprigs in the serving pitcher, and besides being halfway to a mojito, you have a cheerfully refreshing summer drink....

We’ve round up 20+ brunch recipes, all featuring protein packed eggs. Sometimes brunch includes a crowd, other times you’re eating solo leaning against the kitchen counter. We’ve got recipes for both. Some are perfect for on-the-go or for super busy days. Others are made for impressing guests. All will leave your belly full, your day less stressful, and your heart happy. Let’s feast on eggs! 

Anyone born during the summer months would be honored to feast on this strawberry pie on their special day. Personally, I’d take a fresh strawberry pie above cake any day of the week, but especially on my birthday. The goal is of this easy homemade strawberry pie is to simply highlight the freshness of the berries at the peak of the season. How to Make Strawberry Pie I love strawberry rhubarb pie, don’t get me wrong, but for the sheer bliss of strawberries at their peak, you really cannot do better service to them than with this homemade strawberry pie....

Grilled cabbage may not quite be the same as my mum’s skewered chicken, but it offers a comparably comforting canvas for the aromatic, crave-worthy peanut satay sauce. For this recipe, I grill cabbage wedges but if you prefer you can grill them in thick cabbage steaks as well. The sauce is really a stand-out—it is nutty of course, but it’s also highly perfumed from the shallots and garlic, and also sweet from the kecap manis....

Zucchini halves are seeded then hollowed and filled with a caprese stuffing: a mixture of marinated tomatoes, fresh basil, cubed fresh mozzarella cheese, garlic, and Italian seasoning. The filled zucchinis are grilled until warmed through and the cheese is melted. This recipe works wonderfully as a summer side dish paired with a protein or a grain salad. Leftovers reheat easily in the microwave and can be enjoyed on their own as a light, meatless lunch the next day....

The shrimp is about a five-minute grill, and the couscous is a five-minute cook. Even if you do them separately you are looking at a 10-minute project, but if you do them in tandem it is so fast. Of course, my main issue isn’t time, but if my kids will eat this. Shrimp is notoriously tricky for kiddos. Check out the report card below to see how mine did with it....

A quick and easy marinade is just a bottle of your favorite Italian dressing. Or if you, like me, prefer to make your dressings and marinades from scratch, here’s a lovely Greek-inspired vinaigrette with which to marinate the swordfish. Swordfish is a sturdy fish. It holds up like steak when you cook it, and like beef, takes well to marinating. It’s made with fresh lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, and thyme....

Although this pastry is typically made during Holi and Diwali, it can be enjoyed year-round (and at any time of day). It is a dessert, breakfast pastry, and teatime snack all in one and no one will judge you for devouring them whenever your taste buds desire! Celebrating Holi With Family Holi is a Hindu holiday which celebrates good over evil and new beginnings. For Hindus in India, it marks the beginning of spring....

No need to get flour all over the place, or dirty a bunch of dishes. Scoop some ready-made pancake mix into a bowl, crack an egg, add some milk, and you’re ready to start cooking! What’s in This Mix? DIY Pancake mix is like using Bisquick, only more affordable! All you’re doing is creating a bulk mix of the dry ingredients—flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. The best part is it will stay fresh for up to six months!...