By: Laura Ratliff and Ryan Smith

One of the great things about living in a city like New York is the sheer variety of cooking ingredients available. I can’t recall how many times I’ve purchased something at the market just because it sounded “interesting,” even if I didn’t have a clue what it was or what to do with it.

This week, I was delighted when I came across hedgehog mushrooms, a small mushroom that resembles a chanterelle. Hedgehog mushrooms are named appropriately; instead of gills on the underside of their cap, they have little “teeth” reminiscent of a hedgehog’s spikes. Read More

Photo: Joanne Bruno

I think we can all agree that when three twenty-something-year-old men enter your apartment, the only recourse you have is to hide your food.  Otherwise, before you know it, they’ve stuck their fingers in/licked/nibbled at everything in sight.

Generally I live and breathe by this rule, but last week when three of our friends came to pick up my roommate for dinner, I decided that I was safe in leaving this pasta dish out.  After all…it has vegetables, and no meat and little specks of green in it; not your typical twenty-something-year-old man food.  I’m sure you know what happened next. Read More

Photo: Emma Haberman

As summer comes to a close and kids go back to school, busy parents all across the country are preparing for another hectic fall. Don’t stress yet, Mom and Dad, here’s a simple dish to add to your autumn arsenal that will leave your kids satisfied while you kick up your heels and relax.

This pasta is healthy, tasty, and (most importantly) super easy. Read More

Photo: Dalboz17

Pasta salad offers a great twist on how we traditionally think about this staple dish – instead of a steaming bowl of spaghetti and sauce, throw in some fresh vegetables and chill it for an on-the-go easy and healthy meal.  Read More

Photo: Suzanne Lehrer

Saffron and I go way back, to my “colonial fair” in 4th grade. Read More

Kitchen Daily Video

Super simple sauce and perfectly cooked pasta make for a satisfying dinner. Bacon and garlic make this wonderful Italian dish particularly delicious. Read More