The Best Non Recipe Keeper

The New York Sunday Times had one of the best keeper pullouts yesterday. Sam Sifton compiled a wide range of different ideas  in this mini sort of cookbook.It has some great ideas for quick weekday dinners and weekend lunches.

I like this pullout. Some of my best creations have come from what's leftover in the fridge or from the night before. One  of the most intriguing is the savory French toast. I've been dying t o try this but never had a base to jump from. His is just making the same egg custard but without the cinnamon and sugar. Add black pepper and chopped basil along with a dash of hot sauce instead. The slices are topped with a few handfuls of halved cherry tomatoes that have been cooked in the same pan. I'm thinking add anchovies for a really delicious lunch or Saturday night supper.Another idea I want to try is the Weeknight Fried Rice. This is a fun, grab anything and cook kind of idea It's taking a few cupfuls of white or brown rice, Mix the grains with your choice of meats and veggies and then just stir fry.Clear a space in the middle and add the eggs. It's then just a sprinkle with soy sauce.I also love the rotisserie chicken salad.There's nothing like a store's version of this . Shred it with your hands , add some cilantro and sliced scallions. Then just make a simple lime dressing made with lime juice,garlic clove and olive oil.

These are just suggestions from Mr. Sifton so even beginners can follow his nudges and come up with a tasty dish.Any beginner can make the Hasselback kielbasa which is just an easy sheet pan dinner. Take a kielbasa cut thin slices through 7/8ths of the width. Before you do that , roast any color of pepper and onion in a 475 degree F oven. Then put the kielbasa on top and baste with either a mix of apricot and mustard or just barbecue sauce. Then put back into the oven until the kielbasa edges are crisp. There's even a suggestion about jazzing up a peanut butter sandwich , Drop a few sliced pickles on an open faced one . Spike it up with a spritz of sriracha or sambal oelek -Indonesian chili paste. He also recommends pairing it with everything from bacon to marmalade  to sliced hard boiled eggs. Smashed potatoes is another no brainer. These can be served as the main dish or a side.Making them is simple. It just cooking them in  a very hot oven and then smashing the cooked potatoes with the bottom of a tumbler.It's then layering them with cheese ,spinach or kale and bacon - of course. There are pasta recipes that any novice can make with confidence and produce a delicious and professional looking dish.

You Don't Need A Recipe is a must have for any home chef.It encourages you to be creative and think of cooking as easy and fun. Have it on hand and go wild.