ArcaMax

Sam Sianis inherited a family legacy of legendary billy goats, but he immortalized the mythological Chicago incantation: cheezborger, cheezborger, cheezborger.

Sianis, who will celebrate his 93rd birthday this December, is not only a Chicago food icon, he’s also a curse breaker.

The following interview (conducted in Greek with assistance ...Read more

I love making sea scallops. They’re sweet, juicy and take only a couple of minutes to cook. For this dish, I topped the scallops with crunchy chopped peanuts and finished them with a brown butter sauce that adds a nutty depth of flavor.

The secret to tender, juicy scallops is a quick sear, just 1 minute per side. They should still be ...Read more

In the north of Yucca Valley, along a parched desert road, a white shoebox of a building appears on the horizon, mirage-like. Most days you'll spot it by its full parking lot, because La Copine isn't just a destination for desert dwellers. Tourists and celebrities travel from other cities, states and even countries for a taste of California ...Read more

Are you normal or weird?

I've always identified as weird. I would couch it in terms like "charmingly weird" or "delightfully eccentric," but I came down firmly on the weird side of the spectrum.

At least, I did in public. Secretly, I thought of myself as perfectly normal, and it was the people who weren't like me who were genuinely strange.

...Read more

Frittatas are a versatile dish that can be served at breakfast, lunch or dinner. This easy frittata, featuring green spring vegetables accented by chopped tomatoes and Parmesan cheese, can be on your plate in just 25 minutes.

Spring Green Frittata

Serves 2

Active Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

2 eggs, lightly beaten

4 egg whites

...Read more

I used to think homemade pizza wasn’t any good and that making it at home required a specialty oven, a specific type of flour, and even a stand mixer — I couldn’t have been more wrong. It turns out, all you need is an unfussy pizza dough, homeandleisure/recipes/varietymenu/s-4063186">Read more

I can’t imagine a fancier-feeling brunch dish than eggs Benedict! English muffins delicately layered with homeandleisure/recipes/varietymenu/s-4063185">Read more

Farro is an ancient grain that’s been cultivated for thousands of years. Delicious and nutritious (rich in protein, fiber, and nutrients like iron and magnesium), farro is enjoying a resurgence among gourmets and the health conscious alike.

The folklore

Legend has it that Julius Caesar himself brought it to Italy after ...Read more

This is a delicious variation on the usual chicken liver, onions and bacon. Here the flavors are combined to create an outstanding main course.

Chicken livers should be browned yet slightly pink inside, so they retain their silky quality. If overcooked, the chicken livers will have a grainy texture. Pancetta, Italian cured bacon, will give the ...Read more

Gardeners itch for spring weather to get outside and plant. Cooks like myself prefer to stay inside and whip foods loaded with classic spring ingredients and flavors. Vegetables such as new potatoes, peas and asparagus. Tender chive stalks and mint sprigs as soon as they appear in the garden, followed by cilantro, on everything!

Tie all those ...Read more

These juicy beef kabobs are easy to prepare and quick to cook, making them perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. I marinate the beef for a few minutes in a simple blend of lemon juice, olive oil, and fresh rosemary while the pearl couscous side dish comes together.

The kabobs cook in about 3 minutes per side on a stovetop grill, developing a ...Read more