Posts by James Smith

I’ll say it upfront: asparagus can be annoying. One minute it’s tender and snappy, the next it’s limp and sad, like it gave up on life halfway through cooking. I’ve ruined more bunches of...

Let me be honest right out of the gate: I did not grow up loving cauliflower. I tolerated it. Barely. It felt like the vegetable equivalent of cardboard—fine if smothered in cheese, otherwise kind...

Ever notice how Brussels sprouts have a bit of a reputation problem? People either love them or still hold a grudge from that sad, boiled version they suffered through as kids. I sat firmly in the...

I didn’t grow up eating fancy casseroles. I grew up eating whatever could stretch ground beef, pasta, and cheese into something filling that fed everyone and still tasted good the next day. This...

I never plan to make white chocolate peppermint pretzel crisps. They just… happen. Every December, I buy a bag of pretzel crisps “for snacking,” a bag of peppermint candies “for baking,”...

Let me be very honest with you right out of the gate: Sweet strawberry cheesecake nachos sound a little ridiculous until you try them. Nachos… but dessert? Cheesecake… without baking?...