Essays and Stories

You Can Go Home Again

An inability to travel far and wide can lead you to focus on familiar spaces, to recall old memories - and create new ones.

Pasta, Risotto, Gnocchi

Pasta Primavera

Classic pasta primavera the way Le Cirque used to make it back in the 1980s: Angel hair with fresh spring vegetables and cream.

Mushrooms

Porcini Powder

Porcini powder is a powerful way to add savory flavors to whatever it is you are cooking. Here's how to make it at home.

Pheasant, Grouse, Quail

Pan-Seared Woodcock

A simple woodcock recipe you can do in a pan. Serve this with wild rice, roasted mushrooms and Brussels sprouts.

Salmon and Trout

Trout with Morels

Trout with morels is a classic springtime combo; you can often find the two in the same trip! Simple, pan-fried trout with bacon, morels and onions.

Foraging

Wild Rice with Mushrooms

Wild rice, wild mushrooms, caramelized onions. What's not to love? This is a perfect side dish for wild game like venison or duck or pheasant.

Pasta, Risotto, Gnocchi

Chanterelle Risotto

A rich, Italian risotto made with chanterelle mushrooms and sweet corn. Simple, yet elegant.

Pasta, Risotto, Gnocchi

Ricotta Gnudi

When I had Chef April Bloomfield's ricotta gnudi in New York at the James Beard Awards, and I had to recreate them, only with my own twist: A sauce of ramps and fresh porcini I found in the High Sierra.

Mushrooms

Mushroom Tortellini

When life gives you mushrooms, make tortellini out of them. I love these little packets of love, and making them with morels is especially lovely.

Mushrooms

Wild Mushroom Bisque

A recipe for mushroom bisque using wild mushrooms. This is basically real, homemade cream of mushroom soup. You can use any sort of mushroom you like.