http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/index.html http://media.miamiherald.com/images/logos/rss_sitelogo.gif http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/index.html 140 25 News, sports and entertainment from MiamiHerald.com en-us Copyright 2009 MiamiHerald.com Desperation Dinners 60 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:06:59 EST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's PubSys miamifeedback@miamiherald.com http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1314353.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1314353.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:00 EST It's hard to believe it has taken so long for this Cajun classic to arrive in the Desperation Dinners test kitchen because one of our favorite challenges is to take traditional recipes and ''desperize'' them for busy cooks. But since this savory vegetable stew, called maque choux, stretches five minutes longer than our usual 20-minute limit, we kept putting it off. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1292507.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1292507.html Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Infused vinegars are a new favorite ''secret ingredient'' of ours for quickly elevating an ordinary dinner to extraordinary status. Whether flavored with figs, raspberries, pears or other fruit, these vinegars excite the palate. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1281946.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1281946.html Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Somehow, the joys of bread pudding escaped us for decades. Our moms didn't make it, and the plain-sounding name of this dessert never enticed us to experiment. But as comfort foods have made their comeback, we've gained appreciation for this budget-friendly dessert. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1270762.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1270762.html Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Traditional Steak Diane is prepared tableside in a flourish -- butter, tenderloin, cream, brandy and a burst of flames. Quick by nature, it is easy to adapt to the Desperation Dinner table even during midweek madness. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1258860.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1258860.html Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:00 EDT Gourmet specialty chips are yummy, and usually expensive, so we set out to see what it would take to make our own. After a couple of experiments, we settled on homemade pita chips as an easy and economical treat. The results are simply fantastic. Use them to scoop hummus or even to take the place of crackers. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1247029.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1247029.html Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT We had never noticed tuna ''medallions'' before, but there they were, beautifully displayed in the fresh-seafood case. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1235801.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1235801.html Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT Defining Indian curry is like trying to gather mercury into a neat pile -- the elusive liquid defies containment, moving freely with even the slightest nudge. So says our friend Raghavan Iyer, author of 660 Curries (Workman, 2008). http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1224217.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1224217.html Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT Alicia's daughter Hannah requested this ''Pre-Race Pasta'' before her first triathlon because it's easy to digest and great for night-before carbo-loading. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1213735.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1213735.html Thu, 03 Sep 2009 01:00 EDT This is our go-to ''to go'' sandwich for Labor Day picnics, pool parties, outdoor concerts and general end-of-summer frolics. We've tried to cover all the bases -- safety, health, transport and taste. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1202599.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1202599.html Thu, 27 Aug 2009 01:00 EDT Poppy-seed salad dressing is a bit retro -- think the 1980s -- but we're campaigning for a resurgence. The slightly sweet, slightly creamy dressing is the perfect counterpoint for a toss of baby lettuces, feta cheese and red-ripe strawberries. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1192357.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1192357.html Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:00 EDT Baked potatoes as a pantry staple? Why not? They're inexpensive, it doesn't take any longer to bake a dozen, and they'll refrigerate for up to a week. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1182202.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1182202.html Thu, 13 Aug 2009 01:00 EDT Most men relate differently to their grills than women. At least at my house, a man with tongs, meat and fire has an excuse to hide in the backyard, sip beer and play the banjo -- preferably for a very long time. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1067093.html http://www.miamiherald.com/living/food/desperation-dinners/story/1067093.html Thu, 28 May 2009 06:35 EDT When Alicia was a child, the best reward her parents could give her was a trip to a nearby restaurant for strawberry pie. Piled high with big juicy strawberries and smothered in whipped cream, that concoction is still one of her favorite summer desserts.