This traditional and incendiary Thai condiment has incited quite the following. Here’s how to save yourself a trip to your local Asian market.
Dan Kraan, Recipe Tester
A list of all the recipes Dan Kraan has tested.
Dan Kraan has been in the kitchen since he was a child growing up in the ‘60s, armed with a box of instant cake mix and an oven mitt that went up to his elbow. Despite his love for all things food, he majored in electronics and metrology because that’s what pays the grocery bills. Kraan dabbled in catering before discovering Leite’s Culinaria in 2004. He leapt at the opportunity to become a recipe tester and worked his way up to the title of senior tester, which led to testing for David’s book, The New Portuguese Table. In Kraan’s eyes, “the whole world’s a pantry, with so much variety out there.” He lives with his wife/sous chef Jan in Mississauga, Ontario. He enjoys “cooking Canada” and tries to take advantage of wild and local commercially available ingredients whenever possible.
Grilled Scallop Kabobs
These easy grilled scallop kabobs get a flavor boost from a quick marinade and a smoky scallion-sumac dipping sauce.
Oliebollen ~ Dutch Doughnuts
Nothing’s better than warm oliebollen, or Dutch doughnuts, thanks to their crisp nooks and crannies and their pillowy centers hidden beneath a dusting of confectioners’ sugar.
Homemade Ribbon Fries
These shatteringly crisp, undeniably sophisticated potato ruffles—chips, if you will—have no ridges. Nor do they need them. They’re intoxicatingly lovely just as they are.
Truffled Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese goes high falutin’ with a drizzle of chichi truffle oil and a few shavings of black truffle. Pricey, perhaps. But well worth it every once in a special while.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Silken, garlicky mashed potatoes manifest in mere minutes thanks to a super simple technique that’s perfect for when you’re entertaining or just plain hungry.
Apple Spiced Bourbon Toddies
Infinitely more complex than the toddy of yore, this little number owes its lure to apple-y cider spiked with a hint of star anise and quite an indecent glug of bourbon.
Caramelized Butternut Squash Pie
This un-pumpkin pumpkin pie is made with caramelized butternut squash, spices, and a splash of brandy. It’s subtly different from the classic yet still oh-so-perfect for Thanksgiving.
Roast Duck Stuffed with Farro, Figs, and Hazelnuts
Truly impressive and a heck of a lot less fussy than it looks. Tastes pretty darn phenomenal, too. Sign us up.
Chestnut Pasta, Wild Mushrooms, and Brussels Sprouts
This eminently easy-to-assemble jumble of autumn veggies and pasta just sorta screams elegance, don’t you agree?