As a food writer, cookbook author, and memoirist, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to some of the most respected publications in the culinary and literary world. This page serves as a curated collection of my articles, essays, and features published in various newspapers and magazines, showcasing the breadth of my work beyond Leite’s Culinaria.
The New York Times
Features
- Newark’s Portuguese Community Keeps Fires of Tradition Burning
- Published: April 7, 2009
- Explores how Newark’s Portuguese community preserves culinary traditions, especially around Easter.
- Read “Newark’s Portuguese Community Keeps Fires of Tradition Burning” on The New York Times
- The Zing Starts Here
- Published: November 11, 2008
- A deep dive into cranberries, from cultivation to how chefs master their tartness beyond Thanksgiving.
- Read “The Zing Starts Here” on The New York Times
- Perfection? Hint: It’s Warm and Has a Secret.
- Published: June 10, 2008
- Revealing the science behind the ultimate chocolate chip cookie, including 36-hour dough refrigeration.
- Read “Perfection? Hint: It’s Warm and Has a Secret” on The New York Times
- Get the New York Times’ Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- In a ’64 T-Bird, Chasing a Date with a Fried Clam
- Published: [August 29, 2007
- A nostalgic journey into the heart of New England’s iconic fried clam experience.
- Read “In a ’64 T-Bird, Chasing a Date with a Fried Clam” on The New York Times
- Get a related Fried Clam recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
The Washington Post
Features
- Brining Made Our Roast Chicken Juicy, But Didn’t Add Flavor. So We Reinvented It.
- Published: April 19, 2019
- My quest to reinvent roast chicken brining with a revolutionary pureed aromatic brine for enhanced flavor.
- Read “Brining Made Our Roast Chicken” on The Washington Post
- Get my Best Brined Chicken recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- Feeling the Burn
- Published: July 2, 2002
- An exploration of the fiery heart of Portuguese cuisine through its iconic piri-piri peppers and the vibrant hot sauces they inspire, a staple that defines the country’s bold flavors.
- Read “Feeling the Burn” on The Washington Post
- Get my Homemade Piri-Piri Sauce recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
The Los Angeles Times
Features
- Down With Pumpkin Pie
- Published: November 20, 2005
- An essay challenging Thanksgiving dessert traditions, advocating for a rich chocolate tart over classic pumpkin pie.
- Read “Down With Pumpkin Pie” on The Los Angeles Times
- Get a Chocolate Tart recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- Vegetable Voodoo
- Published: March 13, 2005
- An article featuring chef Suzanne Goin’s unique approach to vegetables, highlighted by her recipe for a Cipollini and Bleu de Gex Tart.
- Read “Vegetable Voodoo” on The Los Angeles Times
- Get the Cipollini and Blue Cheese Tart recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- Bet the Pot
- Published: January 16, 2005
- Featuring slow-cooking expert Paula Wolfert, this article delves into the art and authenticity of daubes, rich wine-based stews, complete with a Daube de Boeuf Provençale recipe.
- Read “Bet the Pot” on The Los Angeles Times
- Get Paula Wolfert’s Provençal Beef Stew on Leite’s Culinaria
- Peace and Pleasure
- Published: December 5, 2004
- An essay on reinventing holiday meals to avoid exhaustion and family squabbles, featuring individual Cornish game hens with a pomegranate and black pepper glaze.
- Read “Peace and Pleasure” on The Los Angeles Times
- Get the Cornish Game Hens with Pomegranate and Black Pepper Glaze on Leite’s Culinaria
- Mussel-Bound
- Published: October 31, 2004
- A travel piece exploring Nova Scotia’s mussel farms and the meticulous care given to these bivalves, inspiring a recipe for Curried Steamed Mussels.
- Read “Mussel-Bound” on The Los Angeles Times
- Get a related Creamy Mussels in White Wine recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- Pie in the Sky
- Published: October 17, 2004
- A personal essay on a childhood filled with apples and the adult discovery of baking, featuring an easy recipe for individual Apple Tarts.
- Read “Pie in the Sky” on The Los Angeles Times
- Get a related Apple Tart recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- Pastéis: Hot on the Trail of a Legend
- Published: September 8, 2004
- My quest to uncover the secrets of Portugal’s iconic pastéis de nata, from Lisbon’s legendary bakery to a New York chef’s acclaimed version.
- Read “Pastéis: Hot on the Trail of a Legend” on The Los Angeles Times
- Get the Pastéis de Nata recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- Sweet Remembrance
- Published: September 5, 2004
- A poignant essay recalling my experiences as a waiter at Windows on the World, centered around the comforting memory of dacquoise and sunrise views from the World Trade Center.
- Read “Sweet Remembrance” on The Los Angeles Times
- Versatile Veggie
- Published: July 25, 2004
- An exploration of Swiss chard’s culinary versatility, debunking myths about its origins and featuring a recipe for a savory Swiss Chard, Leek and Goat Cheese Tart.
- Read “Versatile Veggie” on The Los Angeles Times
- Get the Swiss Chard, Leek and Goat Cheese Tart recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- Cold Comfort
- Published: June 13, 2004
- An exploration of the history and nuances of Italian gelato, particularly pistachio, contrasting it with American ice cream and featuring a recipe for Pistachio Gelato.
- Read “Cold Comfort” on The Los Angeles Times
- Get the Pistachio Gelato recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- The Lazy Man’s Brunch
- Published: May 9, 2004
- An ode to leisurely Sunday mornings, this article reinvents deep-dish French toast for easy, overnight preparation, perfect for entertaining without the fuss.
- Read “The Lazy Man’s Brunch” on The Los Angeles Times
- Get the Deep-Dish Brioche French Toast recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- Spring in the Spoon
- Published: March 28, 2004
- An article celebrating the arrival of fresh spring peas, offering tips for selection and preparation, and featuring a recipe for vibrant Spring Pea Soup with Chive Oil.
- Read “Spring in the Spoon” on The Los Angeles Times
- Coal Miner’s Fodder
- Published: February 29, 2004
- A culinary journey through Italy in search of authentic spaghetti alla carbonara, exploring its history and variations, and featuring a classic recipe.
- Read “Coal Miner’s Fodder” on The Los Angeles Times (This is the correct URL)
- Get the Spaghetti alla Carbonara recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- Some Like It Pink
- Published: February 15, 2004
- A nostalgic look at the iconic Hostess Sno Ball, exploring its history and unique Los Angeles-only pink version, alongside a recipe for homemade Pink Snowballs.
- Read “Some Like It Pink” on The Los Angeles Times
- Get the Pink Snowballs recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- Homely Cooking
- Published: December 7, 2003
- An article championing the often-overlooked celery root, exploring its unique characteristics and culinary uses, and featuring a recipe for Celery Root and Potato Gratin.
- Read “Homely Cooking” on The Los Angeles Times
- Get the Celery Root and Potato Gratin recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- Pilgrim’s Progress
- Published: November 16, 2003
- A Thanksgiving essay questioning traditional pumpkin pie, leading to the creation of a new holiday classic: Pumpkin Cake with Maple-Cream Cheese Frosting.
- Read “Pilgrim’s Progress” on The Los Angeles Times
- Get the Pumpkin Cake with Maple-Cream Cheese Frosting recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- The Comeback Kid
- Published: August 10, 2003
- Tracing the cyclical popularity of crepes, this article explores their journey through culinary trends and features a recipe for Chocolate-Coconut Crepes.
- Read “The Comeback Kid” on The Los Angeles Times
- Get a related Crêpes recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- Iberian Idyll
- Published: May 4, 2003
- A passionate defense of Portuguese chourico, distinguishing it from Spanish chorizo, and featuring a recipe for a Chourico Frittata.
- Read “Iberian Idyll” on The Los Angeles Times
- Get the Chourico Frittata recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- Lost in the Atlantic
- Published: October 25, 2000
- An exploration of the unique, often overlooked cuisine of the Azores Islands, highlighting its peasant roots and distinctive flavors, including recipes for Kale Soup, Codfish-Potato Casserole, Garlic-Roasted Pork, Classic Portuguese Beans, and Cream Custards (Pastéis de Nata).
- Read “Lost in the Atlantic” on The Los Angeles Times
- Get the Kale Soup recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- Get the Codfish-Potato Casserole recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- Get the Carne Assada (Roast Beef with Wine and Garlic) recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- Get the Egg Tarts (Pastéis de Nata) recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
Bon Appétit
Features and Essays
- Coming Home to Lisbon
- Published: June 2004
- A personal journey through Lisbon, exploring its vibrant neighborhoods, culinary traditions, and the city’s blend of history and modern innovation, featuring classic Portuguese recipes.
- Read “Coming Home to Lisbon” on Leite’s Culinaria
- Get the Bacalhau à Brás (Scrambled Eggs with Salt Cod Potatoes) recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- Get the Peixinhos da Horta (Deep Fried Green Beans) recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- The Goose of Christmas Past
- Published: December 2003
- A humorous and cathartic essay recounting my long-standing struggle with roasting a Christmas goose, culminating in a triumphant lesson from a spirited English neighbor.
- Read “The Goose of Christmas Past” on David Leite’s Substack
- Get the Mustard and Garlic Roast Goose recipe on Leite’s Culinaria
- A Man and His Stove
- Published: February 2003
- A humorous and heartfelt essay chronicling my journey with a Viking stove, “Thor,” from its purchase to its unexpected reunion decades later.
- Read “A Man and His Stove” on David Leite’s Substack
Yankee Magazine
Features
- At Home at the Table with David Leite
- Published: August 29, 2022
- A poignant memoir exploring my journey back to my Portuguese heritage through family recipes, highlighting how food became a way to reconnect with my roots and create new traditions.
- Read “At Home at the Table with David Leite” on Yankee Magazine
Chicago Sun-Times
Features
- Dining Through the Decades: Our Meals Are Smaller, Leaner and Quicker Now
- Published: December 29, 1999
- An insightful look at how American eating habits have transformed over a century, from hearty, traditional meals to today’s faster, often leaner, culinary landscape.
- Read “Dining Through the Decades” on Leite’s Culinaria
- Is Time Running Out to Stock Up on Champagne?
- Published: July 28, 1999
- A piece reflecting on Y2K and millennium celebrations, and the preparations for hosting a party at the dawn of a new era.
- This article was published in the print edition and is not currently available online.
- The Purist’s Guide to Tea
- Published: April 28, 1999
- An exploration of tea’s resurgence in popularity, delving into its history and various cultural influences.
- This article was published in the print edition and is not currently available online.
- Lights, Camera, Recipes! Videotaping Captures Treasured Family Traditions
- Originally published as “Lights, Camera, Recipes!”
- Published: December 23, 1998
- An essay exploring the importance of documenting cherished family recipes, particularly from those who, like my grandmother, never formally wrote them down.
- Read “Capturing My Portuguese Family’s Recipes” on Leite’s Culinaria
Other articles, essays, and features of mine appeared Martha Stewart Living, Saveur, Gourmet, Food & Wine, Pastry Art & Design, Food Arts, Men’s Health, The Charlotte Observer, and more.
