Sally Schneider

A phone call from a panicked novice chef ends with a revelation: Cell phones and computers make excellent teaching tools. The author offers her ideas for how technology can help even more people become comfortable in the kitchen; she also provides her recipe for the onion dip that inspired it all. More »

This real version of classic onion dip is made with caramelized pan-fried onions instead of salty, flavor-enhanced dried onion soup mix. Served with excellent potato chips, it is the ultimate cocktail party food. More »

Ramps, wild leeks that appear at the start of spring, bring back a flood of memories to the author, reminding her of when she first encountered the plant--and why she continues to seek out wild foods and country living even though she spends most of her time in a city. More »

Variations on a chocolate cake show just how much fun--and how good--an improvised recipe can be. Here, guidelines on how to play a little culinary jazz, and the chocolate cake recipe that inspired it all. More »

A late-night craving demands something wildly good--and easy. A leaning tower of crème fraiche-smeared amaretti soothes the beast just fine. More »

The days fly by so fast, so much so that suddenly we find ourselves in April with trees in bud and the holiday upon us. Easter is suddenly here. Simple recipes for herb-scented lamb, vegetable ragout, and more will welcome spring the right way. More »

This is a lovely cake yet without an overtly olive oil flavor; rather, the oil, along with orange and lemon zest, contributes to its unique floral-herbal fragrance and delicate texture. More »

The crushed new potatoes are mixed with crème fraiche, chives, and cracked coriander for something simple yet truly memorable. More »

This method produces lamb that is truly, uniformly tender. The rosemary-thyme-and-lavender salt is a fragrant seasoning that carries the mellow Provençal flavors into the flesh. More »

In addition to being a great seasoning for lamb, this paste, made of coarsely crushed olives with lemon and herbs, also makes a great tapenade-like hors d'oeuvre spooned onto toasted peasant bread. More »

This vibrant ragout is made of spring vegetables whose flavors have an extraordinary affinity for each other--asparagus, peas, fava beans, spring onions, artichokes, morels, tiny new potatoes. This ragout would also be terrific with rendered bacon or pancetta fat instead of olive oil. More »

In this fishing village 35 miles north of Puerto Vallarta, tourists mingle with jovial locals over boiled corn, homemade flan, and oysters cooked on makeshift grills. Everywhere there are soft tacos made with pork, marlin, shrimp, and, often, birria -- stewed goat in a rich, red chile-based sauce More »

Inspired by a street food offering in Sayulita, Mexico, this revisionist version is a great use for less-than-perfect summer corn or leftover grilled or boiled corn on the cob. An intense version of creamed corn, it makes a terrific side dish. More »

Shredded meats, slow-cooked or roasted, warmed in their juices, make perfect fillings for soft tacos. I usually eat these at the stove, one-by-one as they come out of the pan. This is less a recipe than a rough method, distilled from several trips to Mexico. More »

Flavors like tender herb, garlic, and citrus are easy to make, and vastly improve any dish that uses olive oil. All you need is olive oil, salt, an appropriate flavoring and a little imagination. Your reward is a wonderful addition to any dish that uses olive oil. More »

In times of stress and anxiety, creamy, hand-churned butter can be a wonderful comfort food. In fact, Good butter is like a perfect cheese but better in these moments: purer, simpler, direct, and voluptuous. And in a pinch, you can make your own. More »

Surprised? The classic technique of cooking with stones produces succulent chicken and crisp skin without the fuss, and make satisfying dishes on the fly. Rocks can be a great impromptu solution in the kitchen. Plus, they double as a doorstop. Includes an original recipe. More »