Kitchen gadget: Spiralizer (and use it to make this chilled zucchini "pasta" recipe)

April 16, 2019 NOELLE CARTER

Chilled zucchini “pasta”. (Noelle Carter)

If you’ve never heard of it, a spiralizer quickly and easily turns your favorite vegetables and fruits into noodles and other spiral cuts. Whether you’re eating low-carb or gluten-free, or simply trying to keep your calories to a minimum (it seems my partner and I are always on some sort of diet), a spiralizer is a fun — and colorful — way to turn all sorts of produce into healthful “pasta" alternatives.

When life gives you lemons, make these lemon bars

April 15, 2019 NOELLE CARTER

We’re in the middle of citrus season right now, and I was recently given a bag of lemons from a friend. One of my favorite things to do with the fruit is make a batch of lemon bars. Baked over a buttery shortbread crust, the custard is rich and almost velvety in texture, with just the right balance of sweet/tart flavor. Topped with a simple dusting of powdered sugar, it’s a great go-to dish whether you’re planning for company, a potluck, bake sale or even a simple snack when you’re on the go.

Go cheezy crazy with this recipe for National Grilled Cheese Day

April 12, 2019 NOELLE CARTER

Grilled cheese with marinated tomatoes. (Noelle Carter)

While I’m not normally one for making a big thing about food holidays, I have to make an exception when it comes to grilled cheese. I mean, who can resist something so gloriously rich and unapologetically messy? A great grilled cheese is comfort food perfected. One of my favorite grilled cheese sandwiches combines a great melting cheese with marinated tomatoes.

Make this now: Ultimate beer ‘n’ bacon burger recipe

April 8, 2019 NOELLE CARTER

Ultimate beer ‘n’ bacon burger. (Noelle Carter)

Could it possibly get any better than burgers, bacon and beer? Probably not. Except when you combine them in what I like to call my “ultimate” burger.

Make this now: Browned butter banana nut bread recipe

April 8, 2019 NOELLE CARTER

Browned butter banana nut bread. (Noelle Carter)

It’s hard to find a good banana bread recipe. I can’t tell you how many recipes I went through when I first tried baking the bread. Some were too tough, others too dry. And still others, despite the number of bananas they might called for, lacked flavor. This recipe, adapted from an older Joy of Cooking recipe, is my favorite.

Kitchen gadget: OXO measuring cups

April 8, 2019 NOELLE CARTER

OXO angled measuring cups. (Noelle Carter)

There is nothing more frustrating when measuring ingredients than trying to get the liquid measures just right. I always hated having to stoop down to gauge the measurements on the side of the measuring cups, or struggling to make sure the measuring cup was level if I tried to bring it to eye level. Which is why I can’t praise the angled measuring cups from OXO enough.

Make this now: Bourbon and brown sugar pecan pie recipe

April 8, 2019 NOELLE CARTER

Bourbon and brown sugar pecan pie recipe. (Noelle Carter)

Sometimes it just doesn’t get any better than a seemingly simple slice of pie. Growing up, I remember hanging out in the kitchen watching my mother as she’d bake pie after pie for holidays and family celebrations, whether piled high with summer fruit, or filled with delicate custards. And while pumpkin came close, her pecan was always my favorite.