Giant billboards herald "World Famous Date Shakes" for more than 60 miles along a lonely Interstate 8 between Yuma and Gila Bend, Arizona. Date shakes have been served at this popular pit stop since the 1920s. The recipe is simple: Fresh Medjool dates that are boiled then smashed and blended with vanilla ice cream.
Certain brunch guests will be surprised to learn that cinnamon rolls can be made from scratch in a home kitchen. ("Like, from a can?" a friend of mine once asked when informed that I had made the roll she was being handed.) But there's actually no trick to it. This recipe is more about the soft, sweet bread of the cinnamon roll than its sticky interior.
Meltaways were one of the first cookies I made when I began my professional baking career. They're incredibly easy and their delicate, crumbly texture makes them terribly addictive. In this version, I made them with lime zest. But if you'd prefer another flavor—like lemon, vanilla bean or even black pepper—go for it.
In this week's edition of Hot Dog of the Week, we get a taste of Maine's famous red snappers, which are made with natural casing beef and pork franks and a healthy dose of FD&C Red #40. Why red? There's no definite answer, but the stories range from a simple marketing scheme to the legend that butchers were trying to hide the gray color of wieners made from old meat.
Parsley's got personality—namely, a clean bright flavor and a lettuce-like crunch. So how about we start treating it like what it is: an herb. It's one of few herbs you can find fresh at any time of year in most supermarkets. There are two types: flat leaf (also called Italian parsley) and curly leaf. In a pinch, either is fine, but note the differences between them.
Pomelos are the sweeter, peppery ancestor of the grapefruit. This salad was the prevailing crowd-pleaser at our recent Lunar New Year party. The lively flavors of this dish will trick you into thinking it's summer.