Stovetop
653 recipes found
Smoky Eggplant Croquettes
By placing whole, unwashed, plain and naked globe eggplants directly onto the stovetop burner grate and letting them burn until charred, hissing and collapsed, you bring a haunting smokiness and profound silkiness to the interior flesh that will have you hooked for the rest of your life. This way of cooking eggplant is a revelation in itself — easy, yet exciting and engaging — and requires nothing more of the home cook than a little seasoning at the end to be enjoyed, as is. But biting into a warm, crisp, golden fried croquette with that smoky, silken purée at its center is what restaurant-level complexity and satisfaction is all about. One key ingredient, but 11 steps to prepare it — that about sums up the difference between home cooking and restaurant excitement.
Polenta With Wild Mushrooms and Marinara Sauce
Years ago, I abandoned the traditional stir-until-you-get-a-blister-on-the-inside-of-your-thumb method for making polenta and became a convert to the easy oven-baked version. But then I began working with polenta freshly milled from heirloom varieties of corn, and went back to the top-of-the-stove method because the results were exceptionally creamy and fragrant. This was at the urging of Kay Rentschler, who is the creative director of the Anson Mills website and writes its recipes. She is very specific about the best way to cook the mill’s products, so I followed her instructions for polenta, which are shared here. The flavor of the corn is heavenly, and once it begins to thicken, you don’t have to stir continuously, so it is not tedious to make. You could serve polenta as a side, but I like to show it off and serve it as a main dish (a boon for those who now eschew pasta). It’s a wonderful vehicle for any number of toppings, but my favorite is a simple tomato sauce embellished with pan-cooked mushrooms, preferably meaty, flavorful varieties like oysters or maitakes. If you want to be extravagant, throw a few chanterelles into the mix.
Milk Chocolate-Banana Pudding
With layers of milk chocolate pudding, chocolate wafer cookies and bananas, this nostalgic dessert beats all grandmotherly versions by a landslide.
Stovetop-Braised Carrots and Parsnips
In this simple side dish, carrots and parsnips are simmered in a few pats of butter and a splash of water until tender, then hit with a dash of lemon juice and a sprinkling of fresh herbs. Use the smallest carrots and parsnips you can find; the smaller, the sweeter.
Spicy Grilled Squid and Green Bean Salad
Everyone loves calamari, but grilling is an easy, delicious alternative to frying. Grill the squid whole, then slice it into rings to serve warm or at room temperature, dressed with an assertive vinaigrette — in this case, with ginger, hot pepper, sesame oil and scallions. Cooking over hot coals adds a smoky note, but a stovetop grill works well, too. Any size squid may be prepared this way, but meaty larger squid works best. And, if grilling isn't a possibility, whole squid can also be broiled or roasted.