I was as surprised as anyone to find myself on a Saturday afternoon in October doing a mashed potato science experiment.

The journey started just before Thanksgiving last year, when my sister and I discussed an episode of “Milk Street Kitchen” where the experts trumpeted a new, supposedly better, way to mash, with the usual ingredients (...Read more

Whip up these mashed potato pancakes anytime you have leftover mashed potatoes on hand. Sharp cheddar cheese and chives are the perfect pairing with potatoes, and the tangy sour cream ties it all together.

Mashed Potato Pancakes

Serves 4

Active Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

2 cups cold mashed potatoes

1/3 cup dry whole-wheat ...Read more

XAs the weather cools down, few things are more comforting to me than a big, warm bowl of soup. Creamy tomato soup is a classic for a reason, and when you pair it with grilled cheese it’s like a hug in a meal. In the past, I’ve made homeandleisure/recipes/varietymenu/s-3923831">Read more

Potato pancakes are the signature dish for Hanukkah because they are fried in oil. Dishes fried in oil represent the holiday miracle. Here the Idaho russet is blended with the American sweet potato sometimes called a yam. While it isn’t truly a yam, the flesh is bright orange and sweeter than the lighter colored sweet potato. ...Read more

A properly made pan gravy rescues any meal, especially Thanksgiving. This golden sauce infuses moisture and flavor to everything it touches — from turkey to stuffing and potatoes. We savor dipping bread or the edge of a biscuit into the rich pool on our plates. It’s worth every calorie.

The drip pan beneath the roasted turkey...Read more

Some people love cake, others prefer pie, but I am a pudding person through and through. I love all kinds — classic chocolate pudding, homeandleisure/recipes/varietymenu/s-3923828">Read more

Food poisoning happens when you eat food or drink water that’s been contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses or toxins. It’s more common than you might think — millions of people get it every year. Most cases are mild and go away on their own, but it’s important to recognize the signs so you can take care of yourself.

...Read more

If you're lucky enough to have a vegetable garden, or have access to a community garden, late fall is a time when you're picking what's left of your crop and preparing for next season.

But the last few fruits or green tomatoes don't have to be chucked into the compost. Apples can be made into applesauce or apple butter, other fruits can be made...Read more

When Sean Sherman holds his new book, “Turtle Island,” he can feel the weight of it, both literally and symbolically.

The James Beard Award–winning chef behind Owamni, the Indigenous Food Lab and the nonprofit NATIFS has created what he calls an “essential” volume: a vast, 400-plus-page journey through North America’s Indigenous ...Read more

Roasted winter vegetables are so deliciously crunchy, salty, sweetly caramelized and tender, they (almost) feel like a guilty pleasure.

But I can assure you, the only downside to eating a whole batch may be singeing your fingers as you pluck them off the roasting pan. They are relatively low in calories, high in nutrients, minerals and fiber, ...Read more

Fellow cookbook fans know that this time of year can’t be beat as publishers release a tsunami of books hoping to land a spot on kitchen bookshelves and holiday gift lists.

While we’ve been immersed in books on fresh pasta, soups, appetizers and sauces and learning about culinary cultures throughout the world, our sweet tooth has us turning...Read more

Aged Gouda makes a cozy pasta for these damp, raw November evenings. The dish emerges from the oven steaming and fragrant, urging me to plunge a spoon into the bubbling gooey mass.

Though simple, its allure is roasted cherry tomatoes. Use whatever tomatoes you have on hand, but the tiny red and gold cherries in the market this time of year have...Read more

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court extended a pause on $4 billion in food aid, likely ensuring that millions of low-income families won’t get assistance until Congress reopens the government and provides full benefits.

Siding with President Donald Trump’s administration, the justices said they will maintain a block on lower court rulings...Read more

These mini pumpkin cheesecakes are a festive dessert for any gathering, especially Thanksgiving. Feel free to sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top to amp up the warm, cozy flavors. If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, you can make your own with a mix of cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg. Use leftover pumpkin puree in ...Read more

Desserts as a topic? Since desserts aren’t nutritionally essential, you might think you should just skip them and you’ll be better off, right? While technically that may be true, eating as a whole should be a pleasurable experience and desserts can add to that pleasure. And like many foods, the key is getting away from the idea of good and ...Read more

My friend Connie Engel is an amazing artist but also quite a creative cook. She shared with me her inspired combination of crispy sweet Fuyu persimmons with velvety orange winter squash in this picture-perfect holiday soup. I tried this soup and fell in love with the beautiful, complementary flavor combination and spectacular color.

I like to ...Read more

Traditional roasted turkey with chestnut brown pan gravy and sage-bread stuffing at Thanksgiving never gets boring. The roast fills the house with a holiday aroma. Spirits rise and mouths water. We don’t mess with a tradition.

Sides, however, let us keep things interesting. We draw inspiration from our travels and a pantry ...Read more