Lunch
2812 recipes found

Frittata with Peppers and Potatoes

Ted Williams’s Fenway Chowder

Scallion and Celery Quiche
I’ve written before that I consider celery an underrated vegetable, capable of contributing nuance and texture to a dish. But it would have never occurred to me to have it as one of the main vegetables in a quiche if I hadn’t heard the restaurant critic Jonathan Gold discussing a tarte au céleri that he’d had at Church & State in downtown Los Angeles, a sort of tarte flambée in which celery, celery root and apples stood in for the traditional onions and bacon. I figured if it worked so well in that dish, it could also in a quiche. It does.

Chilled Spiced Yellow-Squash Soup

Nancy Linehan's Seafood Chowder

Stir-Fried Beet Greens, Tofu and Beets
I had lots of beet greens on hand during the week that I was testing all of these beet recipes, so I decided to combine them with julienned beets in a stir-fry. The greens should be crisp-tender.

Nava Atlas’s Spinach, Leek and Potato Matzo Gratin
This closely resembles the layered matzo casseroles, called minas, which are commonly served at Sephardic Seders. Consisting of layered matzos and vegetables, these make great main dishes for the vegans at the Passover table, and a nice side for everyone else.

Almost-From-Scratch Corn Tortillas
Here is a relatively easy project that can deliver what may be the best tortillas you’ve ever had: Masa harina mixed with water and a little fat, left to rest for a while, then pressed and griddled. The recipe makes 12 to 16, enough for a taco party.

Vegan Summer Three-Bean Salad With Tofu and Soy Vinaigrette

Gina Pfeiffer's Chili

Quick Gazpacho

Spring Lamb and Chickpea Stew
Stews and braises are for year-round cooking, but warmer weather calls for a lighter approach. This stew is quite brothy, and full of greens, wilted in olive oil with green garlic, carrots and fava beans or peas. A healthy sprinkling of roughly chopped mint adds brightness. It’s important to use dried chickpeas, because they add flavor to the broth as they slowly cook with the lamb. And an overnight soak is essential: The soaked dried chickpeas will swell to three times their original size, which gives them the proper creamy texture when cooked.

Brooklyn Transplant Sandwich

Spiced Salt-Baked Shrimp
The chef Adam Evans of The Optimist in Atlanta likes to roast big, fresh Southern shrimp with the heads in a deep dish of rock salt studded with spices, an easy method that produces tender, delicately flavored and perfectly seasoned shrimp. Here, headless shrimp take on fragrance from cinnamon and star anise and get heat from jalapeños. The presentation is spectacular for a dinner party. Let the salt cool completely before you toss it out.

Cacio e Pepe with Peas and Favas
Peeling fava beans is a fiddly task that includes removing the beans from their pods, blanching them and then peeling off the skins. But for a light dish of pasta, peas, cracked black pepper and cheese, it’s well worth the effort. Favas can be found in farmers markets in the spring and summer. This dish is one of their highest uses.

Herbed Butter and Smoked Salmon Sandwiches

Alex Luppi's Pita Bread Sandwiches

Corn Chowder

Danny Bowien's Pastrami
I grew up in Oklahoma City, where barbecue and smoked meats are pretty much a prerequisite for family gatherings. And yet, like many families, Thanksgiving around my house included the traditional turkey and ham, which got a little boring. Pastrami brings something different to the table. The idea is to keep the prep simple; the meat takes a long time to cook, but once you have it in the oven or smoker, you don’t have to attend to it. It easily feeds a large crowd and, since it isn’t your typical Thanksgiving centerpiece, it will be a conversation starter. Serve it with plenty of hot mustard.

Flageolet Beans With Chanterelles, Smoked Salmon and Sage

Mark Bittman’s Tamales
Making tamales doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little planning, you can have this traditional treat at hand. Start the night before, setting the husks to soak overnight. The next day, mix the masa marina with some chicken stock, lard, salt and baking powder. Lay the mixture onto the husks along with shredded meat, wrap and steam them in a rack. It’s a perfect project for the intermediate home cook, hoping to broaden a skill set. If it feels like a lot, invite a friend over, crack open a couple of beers and make it a party.

Blueberry or Blackberry Compote with Yogurt or Ricotta
Blueberries don’t need much in the way of sweetener (blackberries are more tart, so you might want to use a little more with them), yet this simple compote will transform a plain bowl of yogurt or ricotta cheese into a dessert – or a very nice breakfast. The compote is modeled on Deborah Madison’s recipe in her lovely book, "Seasonal Fruit Desserts." She sweetens her compote with maple syrup or maple sugar, which is also a lovely way to go. The small amount of cinnamon brings out the essential essence of the berries. I like to add a touch of rose water; the floral essence is beautiful with the berries. Don’t simmer for too long, or the compote will become more like jam – though it is also nice as a sort of jam with toast. Ricotta is richer than yogurt, so I serve less of it with the berries.

Zuppa Pavese

Herb Omelet Pita Sandwich
There are other options besides fried falafel or spit roasted lamb to fill a pita. A less well-known filling is an herb omelet, called ejjeh in Lebanese cuisine. This version -- made with lots of chopped parsley, dill, mint and cilantro -- mimics the Persian herb omelet called kuku sabzi. It makes a perfect vegetarian sandwich filling, topped with a salad of chickpeas, chopped cucumber and tomato and a refreshing tahini-yogurt sauce.