Southwestern Brisket
Serves 6 to 8
Juicy and full of flavor, brisket is tender and delicious and lends itself to a wide variety of sauces and seasonings. This version, which relies on New Mexico chiles for its rich, tangy taste, is mildly piquant.
Braised Swordfish
Serves 4
This is a great dish for entertaining because you can assemble it just before your guests arrive and turn the slow cooker on when they come through the door. By the time everyone is enjoying drinks and nibblies, the conversation is flowing and you’re thinking about moving to the table, the fish will be cooked. Serve with a big platter of sautéed spinach or rapini alongside. Add a good dessert and await the praise.Continue reading
Indonesian Chicken
Serves 4 to 6
Although this chicken dish is remarkably easy to make, its slightly sweet yet spicy coconut-milk sauce gives it an exotic flavor.
African-Style Chicken in Onion Gravy
Serves 6
If you are desperately seeking a break from the same old thing, try this take on yassa, a traditional celebratory dish originating in Senegal. It’s very simple — chicken braised in a blanket of onions and seasoned stock — but the results are seductive.
New World Leek and Pepper Soup
Serves 8
I call this soup “new world” because it’s a variation on the classic French leek and potato soup, using sweet potatoes and peppers, two ingredients that Christopher Columbus introduced to Europe during his explorations of the Americas. Serve small quantities as a prelude to a celebratory meal, or add a tossed green salad for a light supper.
Delectable Apple-Cranberry Coconut Crisp
I love to make this delicious dessert in the fall when apples and cranberries are in season. This version is a little tart, which suits my taste, but if you have a sweet tooth, add more sugar to the cranberry mixture.
Just Peachy Gingerbread Upside Down Cake
The deliciously rich molasses-flavored gingerbread, topped with peaches in caramel, is an absolutely irresistible combination. Serve it with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream and savor every bite.
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Poached Salmon
Although I love salmon cooked almost any way, poaching produces the moistest result. The problem is, successfully poaching a large piece of salmon used to require a fish poacher, a piece of kitchen equipment that was rarely used yet relatively costly and cumbersome to store. A large oval slow cooker is the ideal solution. It produces great results with little fuss. Serve poache
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