Author:

Everywhere there’s corn, there are tamales. From the Pacific Northwest to Patagonia, families make masa, wrap dollops of dough with savory fillings in corn husks, then steam them by the dozens. As small packages reminiscent of the comforts of home or of traveling street food, tamales are original Indigenous sustenance.  We often think of tamales as practical and economical doughy vessels holding various meats. But today, cooks, farmers, and producers are innovators and artisans that use a variety of ingredients, grow corn in new regions, and nixtamalize maize for fresh masa to reshape what tamales can be—from savory to sweet, meat-centric to plant-based, traditional to modern—while still connecting the dish to its past. Throughout Latin Americ...

Melina Hammer greeted me at the entrance of Catbird Cottage with a smile and a small jar of salmon rillettes that we would soon spread over salty and crackly seeded rye lavash. It was a chilly spring afternoon in the backyard of her Instagram-famous Upstate New York bed and breakfast, which is the inspiration for her debut cookbook, A Year at Catbird Cottage. Hammer is an experienced photographer and food stylist who has worked extensively with the New York Times and, most recently, on fellow upstater Julia Turshen’s Simply Julia. She has a clear vision with her recipe work: delicious and accessible cooking that leans into the four distinct East Coast seasons. And while this concept isn’t bleeding-edge new, Hammer’s recipes demonstrate that there’...

These cheesy baked chicken tacos are a quick and easy weeknight dinner for your family and kids that’s ready in under 30 minutes. Pair it with your favorite toppings and enjoy some crispy, flavorful tacos. Today we’re making some cheesy baked chicken tacos. It’s the perfect answer to busy weeknight meals or when you have a crowd to feed. You can also make them for Taco Tuesday, Cinco de Mayo, taco night, the Super Bowl, potlucks, parties, or cookouts. This simple 7-ingredient recipe is packed full of flavor with crispy taco shells stuffed with refried beans, shredded chicken and lots of melty cheese. Make all that even tastier with your favorite toppings. You can get as creative as you like with both the fillings and topping choices. This recipe is a great way to turn rotis...