A Proper Apéro Hour
Aperol, dry vermouth, sparkling wine, a twist. The French cocktail hour.
The pantry · 16 recipes · 2 articles
Upscale, without the fuss.
For the dinner that wants a little ceremony: a proper appetizer, a dressed-up main, a small sweet. Nothing fussy, nothing wasted.
Blood Orange & Burrata
Five minutes. One whole ball of burrata, sliced blood oranges, olive oil, flaky salt.
Gin & Sin Cocktail
A composed two-gin sipper with citrus oils.
Raspberry Génoise, Made Ahead
A light almond-and-raspberry layer cake that improves overnight.
Seared Scallops, Brown Butter
Large dry-packed sea scallops, screaming-hot cast iron, 90 seconds per side.
Slow Salmon, Green Goddess
Low oven, silky finish, zero stress window.
The Two-Course Date Night
Pan-seared duck breast + a chocolate pots-de-crème. For two.
A Five-Course Potato Dinner with Drink Pairings
Five courses built around one vegetable, with five drink pairings chosen for affinity with the dominant ingredient on each plate.
Simple Dinner for Two
A warm, unhurried three-course dinner built around crisp cheese puffs, a perfectly pink steak, and bright pickled beets.
Gruyere Gougeres
Warm French cheese puffs with a crisp shell and a tender, savory center.
Cardamom Carnival Buns
Soft yeasted buns, vanilla cheesecake filling, warm blueberry compote.
Cherry Potato Dumplings with Browned Butter and Cinnamon Breadcrumbs
Tender potato dumplings wrapped around a sour cherry, finished with browned butter and toasted cinnamon breadcrumbs.
Crisp Latkes with Beef Goulash and Sauerkraut-Apple Salad
Shredded potato pancakes, slow-braised beef goulash with mushrooms, and a sharp cabbage-and-apple salad.
Leek-Potato Soup with Smoked Paprika Oil
A pale, silk-finished soup with a thin red slick of smoked paprika oil poured over at the table.
Mascarpone & Blueberry French Toast
Brioche stuffed with whipped mascarpone and blueberries, dipped in cinnamon custard, golden in the pan.
Mini Potato Rösti with Crème Fraîche and Caviar
A crisp potato disc the size of a silver dollar, topped with cool crème fraîche and a small spoonful of caviar.
Salty Canadian
Cold brew, maple foam, and a pinch of sea salt over a tall glass of ice.
Twice-Baked Mini Potatoes with Smoked Trout
Tiny baked potatoes, hollowed and filled with smoked trout, crème fraîche, dill, and lemon zest.