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Rudimentary Recipes Every Home Cook Should Know

Susannah Chen — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:15:35 PST

January is a time of many resolutions, many among them culinary. Regardless of your skill level at the stove, it never hurts to go back to basics and focus on rudimentary recipes that are the building blocks for so many other dishes. These aren't too complicated or expensive, and once you master them, we reassure you that you'll use them over and over again. Here are 10 fundamental dishes that every home chef should know how to make.

5 Fall Foods and What to Cook With Them

Susannah Chen — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:42:36 PST

Before Fall's gone entirely, don't forget to enjoy the best of the moment's fruit and vegetable bounty. Here are five affordable, versatile favorites to seize before the season's over and some of our recommended ways to cook with them.

10 Fall Cocktails to Toast to This Thanksgiving

Susannah Chen — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 04:30:26 PST

There are countless things to be grateful for in 2011, but let's face it: the best way to be thankful on turkey day is to kick back, bond, and have a drink (or three) with loved ones. To take Thanksgiving entertaining to the next level, match your courses with deserving wines and start off with cocktail hour. Don't forget to refill your ice trays, because we've got 10 tipples that are guaranteed to be magnificent with your meal.

Braised Chicken With Tomatoes: Perfect For Between Seasons

Susannah Chen — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:45:25 PDT

This month, I've shifted my focus from Summer cookout food to something a little more soothing, but amidst a San Francisco Indian Summer, I'm not quite ready to plunge into full-blown Fall fare just yet. So in addition to treasuring those timeless staples, I've also looked for recipes that fall (pardon the pun) right in between those two seasons. One such gem is this slow-cooked dish of chicken with fresh tomatoes.

It incorporates the sunny flavor of Early Girl tomatoes with the reassuring tenderness of chicken braised in its own stock. Lighten it up with skinless chicken breast, swap out the sage for tarragon or basil, or use cherry or heirloom tomatoes instead. The result is a sumptuous main meal that's fantastic over grits, polenta, or mashed potatoes. Savor the in-between moment when you keep reading.

In Honor of Natalie Portman's Engagement, Check Out Her Ballet Dancer Fiance in Club Monaco's Fall Campaign

Melody Nazarian — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 11:28:46 PST

Pop just announced that Natalie Portman is engaged to NYC ballet dancer Benjamin Millepied. What's more, she's pregnant with his baby! We posted this Club Monaco Fall campaign starring Benjamin and model Malgosia Bela a while ago, but in honor of this happy news, here it is again. The theme is "Dance Dance Evolution," and who better to show off the clothes than the principal ballet dancer. Sequins, feathers, pearls . . . step inside to see what's in store. Then watch the video version.

Mango's Fall/Winter Ads as Modeled by Fab Favorite Anja Rubik

Melody Nazarian — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 09:55:10 PST

We loved Olivia Palermo's campaign with Mango, and now the Spanish retailer has come out with yet another jaw-dropping spread. Fab favorite model Anja Rubik struts on the streets of Paris, while photographer Terry Richardson snaps her in trendy plaids, fair isle, camel colors, faux fur, boho touches, lightwash jeans, and cozy sweaters. The entire thing is beautifully styled - I'll definitely be snagging a few pieces and mimicking head-to-toe looks!

Fabulous Ski Gear For Your Upcoming Snow Excursion

Melody Nazarian — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 09:00:05 PST

I have to admit: I don't love feeling cold, but I do love looking like I'm ready for the cold. Fair isle, fuzzy faux fur, beanies, arm warmers ($98), thermals, ponchos ($72) - they're all part of the cold weather fun. If you have an upcoming snow trip planned or just want to get the look minus the freeze, we've tracked down some fabulous ski-inspired pieces to help you look chic to the max from the slopes to the streets. Brr - can you feel the chic chill?

Thanksgiving Beauty With All the Fixins

Jaime Richards — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 06:00:06 PST

Hey pilgrim, there might not be as many Thanksgiving beauty offerings as there are December holiday ones, but that doesn't mean you don't have options. Behold, as there are a cornucopia of ideas on how you can add a bit of panache to your Thanksgiving weekend:

For your hair: Keep your style soft and shiny with Frédéric Fekkai's Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo ($23). Then, add a dramatic touch with 2adorn's Detachable Brown Feather Hair Clip Fascinator ($35) or Charlotte Russe's Round Feather Headwrap ($6).
For your lips: Maybelline's Shine Sensational Lip Gloss in Cranberry Crave ($6) or Nyx's Lipstick in Pumpkin Pie ($4) each have holiday-worthy names and look great on practically everyone.
For the eyes: How about some coffee with that dessert? A smoky, spicy palette of warm browns will provide you with the perfect accent. Try Revlon's ColorStay Eye Shadow in Coffee Bean ($7).
For the nails: A cranberry-toned shade, such as Butter London's Nail Lacquer in Queen Vic ($14), or a shimmery bronze, such as Deborah Lippmann's Superstar Nail Color ($18), will both garner you lots of attention - in all the right ways, of course.

This Year, Let Sweet Potatoes Speak For Themselves

Susannah Chen — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:15:14 PST

For the best Thanksgiving ever, I'm trying a new strategy and letting all of Thanksgiving's star ingredients shine on their own. There won't be any green beans shrouded in mushroom cream or turkey overpowered by Cajun spices. Instead of having a marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole, I'm highlighting the tubers with honey and seasoning to let their true flavor take over.

I could only locate the thin, yellow-skinned sweet potato variety, although any sweet potato or yam works. Roast them until they're crunchy and caramelized with a lovely sweet-savory flavor. Then you can eat them with virtually anything: a poached egg and harissa for breakfast, curried cauliflower for lunch, and, of course, turkey. Get the easy recipe when you read more.

Killer App: Crostini with Cranberry, Pear, and Orange Mostarda

Lauren Hendrickson — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 16:00:23 PST

Cranberries are a staple for this time of year, but I always like to try something different from the traditional cranberry sauce. My suggestion? Skip serving them in a bowl and use them in a stellar mostarda-topped crostini appetizer. Mostarda is a traditional Italian condiment that combines sweet cooked fruit with a savory mustard sauce; it's often served with meat, which would make it perfect for topping pork or turkey. I was ready to try something new, so I baked up some crostini and topped them with a triple-creme goat brie, finishing with a spoonful of flavorful mostarda. Trust me: you won't miss cranberry sauce once you start popping these tasty apps. Keep reading for the recipe.