Summer is around the corner and that means the grilling season has officially arrived (yes, even if your forecast still says “scattered showers”). And while we’re all for a bourbon on the rocks while the coals heat up, there’s another reason to keep that bottle close: It might just be the secret ingredient your summer cooking’s been missing.
No, this isn’t just a summer fever dream. Bourbon’s sweet, warm, slightly smoky profile pairs beautifully with all kinds of cooking techniques—grilling included. But it’s just as impactful in a stovetop glaze, a hot skillet, or even a rich dessert. From smoky grilled chicken to syrupy French toast with heat, these bourbon-spiked dishes come straight from the chefs who actually cook with it.
Welcome to Forkcast—a weekly meal-planning newsletter with five recipes for the week ahead, plus a handy grocery list and helpful tips. This week’s is curated by Jessica Levinson, MS, RDN, CDN, a nutrition expert with a passion for practical, family-friendly meals. Learn more of her expertise here.
What better time to boost your fruit intake than the start of summer, when sweet, colorful fruit is reaching its peak? If you’re anything like me, you love a good sweet-and-savory combo—and this week’s menu is full of them. We’re highlighting two of the season’s best: juicy peaches and bursting-with-flavor blueberries. You’ll see just how well they shine in the five recipes below.
Welcome to The Flavor Files! 🎉This is where my love for cooking, flavor, and food science all come together—because delicious food is even better when you understand a little of the magic behind it.
Looking for more recipes? You’ll find them all at Nik Sharma Cooks. Still need a copy of my latest cookbook, Veg-Table? You can grab it here—it’s filled with veggie-driven inspiration. 🌱✨
You might spot a few affiliate links sprinkled throughout this newsletter; they help keep the spice—and the science—flowing.
Now, let’s dive in. 🔥
The Flavor Files is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
The Flavor Files is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Do you know how to make Basmati rice the right way? Well, I have the secret for you! I'll tell you why Basmati is different and why that matters for preparation. Serve the perfect rice every time.
(I'm in a generous mood and wanted to share content I typically provide only to paid subscribers. If you are interested in more in-depth content like this, click on Subscribe Now to upgrade.)
In this quick weeknight meal, Italian passata and Korean gochujang combine to create a smooth, bold sauce reminiscent of silky Italian vodka sauce, but with a deeper layer of umami and a pleasant hint of heat. Passata, an uncooked, strained puree of ripe tomatoes with the skins and seeds removed, is smooth and bright. Gochujang, a deeply savory, fermented chili paste made from glutinous rice, soybeans, and gochugaru (Korean chili powder), brings gentle heat and a touch of sweetness. Together, they formed a rich, harmonious sauce that clung beautifully to pasta and delivered depth well beyond the effort it took to make. A sprinkle of garlicky bread crumbs over the pasta before serving added a pleasant crunch and another layer of flavor.
This recipe resides on ATK and is free. I love seeing you share your excitement! ATK makes several recipes from the residency available for free. You might need to enter your email so they can send you more great content, but you can always opt out anytime. I’ve been a longtime subscriber to their newsletters and have found them super valuable. I hope that helps clarify how to access these co-created recipes—we put a lot of love into them, and I’d love for you to check them out! I appreciate your support!
It’s not every day you see a former three-Michelin-star chef slinging burgers and homemade potato chips out of a historic red train car. But at Dad’s Luncheonette, the low-key restaurant tucked off Highway 1 in foggy Half Moon Bay, that’s exactly what you’ll find—if you know where to look.
If you pull up, chances are you’ll find Scott Clark—chef, dad, and now cookbook author—chatting with customers, cracking jokes, and running the pass for their short-and-sweet seasonal menu.
If you’ve ever tried to find Medjool dates in a grocery store, you know it’s not always intuitive. You might check near the bananas, wander toward the baking aisle, or give up and ask someone. Until recently, date packaging rarely did itself any favors: generic plastic clamshells, muted colors, minimal context. The fruit may have been sweet, but it didn’t exactly look like it.
That started to change in 2019, when a line of brightly packaged, California-grown Medjool dates called Joolies started showing up in stores across the country. You’ve probably seen them even if you don’t know the name: turquoise stand-up pouches stamped with a bold yellow sun, sitting up in the produce section. Joolies wasn’t just trying to sell dates—they were trying to rebrand them entirely.
Welcome to Sunday Reset, where we share how we’re unwinding and what we have planned for the week ahead. This time, Noah’s been bit by the barbecue bug—and shares some inspo both for summer weekend projects and quick grilled dinners alike.
Good morning! All I can seem to think about as the weather warms up and the endless rain starts to clear here in New York is busting out the grill. It’s one of my primary summer joys, and though I’m not exactly a pitmaster like our friends at KG BBQ, I do have a small offset smoker/grill that I’ve been keeping in a friend’s backyard. It runs on charcoal or wood ,and I’ll be using it to try my hand at all manner of smoked meats this summer, from brisket to baby backs.
Let’s be honest: dads are objectively some of the hardest people to shop for. Whether it’s the “I don’t want anything” dad, the “just buy me socks” dad, or the “already ordered it myself” dad (the audacity), landing on a thoughtful, actually appreciated gift can feel impossible. One year my dad asked for a handheld leaf blower that my sisters and I promptly bought and I think that’s still his favorite gift ever. And yes, that's on here.
For this guide, I had to outsource—asked friends, combed through Reddit threads, and consulted my own father (an avid golfer and outdoor work enthusiast). The takeaway? Most dads either already have the gear for their main hobby, or what they want is way out of budget (why are all their hobbies so expensive?).
Welcome to Come On Over, a Food52 newsletter about hosting life’s big and little moments. It’s where we share our personal tips and tricks, from modern-day etiquette—shoes off or shoes on?—to making extra seating out of every surface of an apartment. This week, we’re finally feelin’ like it’s BBQ time.
National Best Friends Day is this Sunday, and honestly? I’ll throw a BBQ for just about any excuse. It takes me back to those rare Irish summer days (all two weeks of them), where the smell of raw bell pepper meant the grill was firing up. My mother was a big fan of them on her burger—hey, don’t knock it till you try it. Here’s how I’m planning this weekend.
There’s something electric about checking into a hotel in a new city or country—the thrill of the unfamiliar, the view from your window, the anticipation of what lies just outside your door. And then, of course, there’s the food. Because while location and amenities shape a stay, it’s the dining options at these Grand Hyatt destinations that transform it—from a great trip into the kind you’ll never stop talking about.
The right dish can transport you: to another place, another time, even another version of yourself. It sets the mood, captures a feeling, and defines the rhythm of your travel experience. At Grand Hyatt hotels, the sheer range of culinary offerings means every stay becomes more than just visiting one destination—it becomes a global journey through your palate.
A few years ago, Alex and I started batching cocktails and keeping them in the freezer. Batching may sound fancy and professional but at most we were participating in rudimentary math (“one ounce? nah, one cup!”) and advanced laziness (ahem, preparedness). Having cocktails ready to go and super, super cold so that they won’t immediately water themselves down by melting ice was a win. And, as the habit has continued, it’s always fun when a friend stops by and you remember you already have perfect manhattans ready to go, as if you were trying to medal in the impromptu hosting olympics.
Your guests are about to be impressed! This blog offers over 100 appetizer recipes, but the recipes that made this list are the easiest appetizer ideas in my collection. These crowd-pleasing, no-fuss recipes are made with basic ingredients that come together quickly and taste amazing. Start at the top to find the easiest of them all. Toward the bottom of the list, you’ll find a few recipes that require a smidge more effort but are completely worth your while.
These simple party snacks are perfect when you have surprise guests, you’re running late to a friend’s get-together (that’s me), or you’re hosting a feast (save your effort for the entrées). You’ll find plenty of dips here—everyone loves a good dip, and they’re easy to whir together in a food processor. Many can be made in advance and served cold. You’ll also discover appetizer recipes that you can put together in under 10 minutes using ingredients from your pantry—be sure to bookmark them for later.
Welcome to Schoolhouse Switchboard, where our team answers your most pressing design questions—one topic at a time. Whether you’re styling your space from scratch or simply refreshing a corner, we’re here to help.
This week, it’s all about bedding. From breathable sheets to layering tips, here’s everything you need to know to build your dreamiest bed yet.
Let’s face it: your bed isn’t just a place to sleep. It’s where you decompress, daydream, and, most importantly, recharge. At Schoolhouse, we get a lot of questions about making the perfect bed—how to layer it, how to style it, and how to choose the right bedding depending on how you sleep.
There’s this thing that happens when a nepo baby tries something. People either roll their eyes or tear them to shreds. Don’t act, don’t model, don’t start a clothing line—and definitely don’t launch a cooking show on Facebook during the pandemic. Brooklyn Peltz Beckham did the last one, and the internet (especially the British tabloids) had a field day. But here’s what’s interesting: he never really stopped.
I’ve definitely participated in the “lightly roast a nepo baby” discourse—it can feel like punching up, and in many cases, it is. But it’s also kind of a lose-lose. People complain when famous kids do nothing with their platforms, and they complain when they try.
When my husband and I moved into our first home together, we discovered that the previous owners had left behind a few things, all of which we gratefully kept and used for years. One of these bonus treasures was a perfectly lovely wide-mouthed wicker wastebasket that had a sort of billowy plastic lining.
It moved with us two times, and though I didn’t love that the wide rim made it impossible to line it with a trash bag (meaning that when gum was tossed in there, it would stick to the plastic lining… nasty!), I kept it because I never throw out something that is perfectly passably doing its job. Well, it was—at least in theory—doing its job, because every week while celebrating Garbage Eve (the night before the garbage collector comes and we empty all our indoor garbage cans), I would inevitably find evidence of well-intentioned but missed free throws of all sort of detritus: spent floss, errant nail trimmings, and the occasional stray cotton swab. I found myself silently fuming at my husband for believing too firmly in either his aim or the wideness of the wastebasket’s opening and sending his biohazardous waste on a wing and a prayer in what can only be described as the general vicinity of that old basket.
Maximalism isn’t about more clutter—it’s about more character. And in a small space, the best place to start? Right on the wall.
Wall sconces are the secret weapon designers reach for again and again: they save space, layer in light, and (in some cases) double as sculptural art. In the cozy corners and clever placements ahead, we’re taking cues from some of our favorite designer spaces to show how a well-placed sconce can turn even the tiniest nook into a major design moment. Ready to see why they’re a small-space essential? Below, you’ll find out how to use them just like the pros.
In 2018, hard seltzer was everywhere. White Claw took over coolers, bar menus, and party tables, and beer suddenly had real competition. So when Grant Wood—a brewmaster with decades of experience—floated the idea of nonalcoholic beer to major players like MillerCoors, it didn’t exactly land. Everyone was still riding the fizzy wave.
Welcome to Sunday Reset, where we share how we’re unwinding and what we have planned for the week ahead. This time, guest Nea tells us her summer cooking plans and how she's gearing up for summer in Sweden.
Good morning! I can’t believe it’s already June 1st! I just got back from visiting my parents in Burlington, Vermont, where we blew lots of glass at their studio, AO Glass, grilled, and ate maple creemees. Now back in Brooklyn, I’m deep into planning summer recipes and gearing up to head to Sweden for a few weeks.
Father’s Day can feel like a hard one to get right. Do you plan a full schedule of activities? Do you let Dad relax? Do you take him out for dinner? Or do you cook him a nice meal? And what about a gift? Does he really need another grilling set? How about a salami bouquet? The options are at once completely overwhelming and totally limiting. Lucky for you, we've got some good news. As it turns out, all dads really wants is a great breakfast.
Here are 30 never-fail morning meals to whip up for the father figure in your life this Father's Day—from apple and pork sausage (with a side of eggs, of course) to the perfect waffles and pancakes. Serving a homemade card alongside never hurts, either.
Join me and my friend Jane Bertch in Paris on Sunday, June 29th, for a booksigning event from 3pm to 4:30pm at La Cuisine Paris at 78 Quai de l’Hôtel de Ville (4th).
Note that books are in limited supply and you are welcome to bring books you’ve purchased elsewhere. Please note that the venue is not able to take credit card payments on-site.
Welcome to The Flavor Files! 🎉This is where my love for cooking, flavor, and food science all come together—because delicious food is even better when you understand a little of the magic behind it.
Looking for more recipes? You’ll find them all at Nik Sharma Cooks. Still need a copy of my latest cookbook, Veg-Table? You can grab it here—it’s filled with veggie-driven inspiration. 🌱✨
You might spot a few affiliate links sprinkled throughout this newsletter; they help keep the spice—and the science—flowing.
Now, let’s dive in. 🔥
The Flavor Files is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Summer has arrived, and June is in full swing. It’s hot enough that I think about cold coffee, ice cream, and sorbets, morning to night. Pretty much anything that’s filled with a heaping of ice.
I got myself a new fine mesh strainer that is STRONG and filters stuff out well - I tested the Rösele fine mesh strainer with blended coconut, and it did a fantastic job of straining the solids out to give me a smooth, clear milk (I got the 7.5-inch strainer).
I grew tired of sticking wet towels between the counter and my cutting boards to prevent the boards from slipping, so I finally got a slip mat for my large cutting board. It’s made prep work a breeze.
I LOVE this small kitchen remodel. It is tasteful, refreshing, and thoughtful, and the rest of the home is equally cozy and beautiful.
I finally scored a reservation at Panda Inn in Pasadena, yes, the birthplace of Panda Express. Ever since their remodel and grand reopening, getting a table has felt almost impossible. So when a friend invited me to join them for lunch, I jumped at the chance. The place was buzzing with energy, and the food? It was well worth the wait. I couldn’t get enough of the Phoenix Chicken and the Honey Walnut Shrimp, both perfectly executed and deeply nostalgic in flavor.
And while I’m on the topic of local gems, I have to shout out 61 Hundred Bakery in Santa Ana. I first tasted their stunning blue corn masa sourdough at Somni a few weeks ago. When Chef Aitor Zabala mentioned he sources it from this bakery, I immediately added it to my must-visit list. I finally made the trip and was blown away. The croissants? Flaky, layered, and intensely flavorful. Every item I tried showed a level of craft and precision that speaks to true mastery. The bakers and staff are extremely friendly.
I was absolutely delighted to read Roopa Gulati’s new cookbook, Indian Kitchens: Treasured Family Recipes from Across the Land (Bloomsbury, 2025; Amazon / Bookshop). It reads like a deeply soulful love letter to the kitchens of India, kitchens that tell stories, hold memories, and reflect the incredible diversity of communities across the country.
India isn’t a closed book — it absorbs influences from global kitchens and has done so for centuries.
As someone who grew up in Bombay (Mumbai), this resonated strongly with me. French, Portuguese, British, Middle Eastern, Central and North Asian, these influences (and many more) have all woven themselves into the rich, evolving tapestry of Indian cuisine. And yet, so many myths still persist:
→ that all Indian food is “curry”
→ that garam masala is some kind of universal magic key
→ that naan is our everyday bread (it’s not — it’s a restaurant treat!)
→ that Indian food is always fiery hot
Roopa’s book gently and beautifully dismantles these clichés by showcasing the stunning range of dishes and traditions from kitchens all over India; dishes rooted in place, memory, and family. It’s a journey told through food, and one I know you’ll savor as much as I did.
This week, I’m sharing one of my favorites from the book: Chana Dal with Spinach, a comforting and nourishing dish layered with subtle flavor.
Chana Dal with Spinach
It’s usual to use chana dal for this dish, but you could also make it with split yellow peas. Both have a robust, almost meaty flavour, which stands up well to leafy green vegetables. Add the softened spinach at the last minute, so that it retains its fresh grassy-green colour. This dal is finished with a fried tarka flourish, made with sizzling spices, garlic, ginger and the sharpness of green chillies.
Serves 4
7 oz [200g] split Bengal gram (chana dal ), washed and soaked in hot water for 2–3 hours
¼ tsp ground turmeric
12 1/4 oz [350g] baby spinach leaves
juice of ½ lime
sea salt
FOR THE TARKA
1 3/4 oz [50g] ghee or 5 tbsp sunflower oil
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 dried Kashmiri red chilli
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 oz [30g] ginger root, peeled and finely grated
2 green chillies, deseeded and chopped
1 tomato, diced
Discard the soaking water from the Bengal gram and transfer the dal to a pressure cooker. Cover with water by a depth of 4 cm. Add the turmeric and cook under pressure for 30 minutes, until the gram is soft and has broken down. Roughly crush the dal with a potato masher against the side of the pan.
Aim for the consistency of thick soup. If it looks a bit watery, boil the dal for a few more minutes without any pressure. Alternatively, put the Bengal gram and turmeric in a medium pan and cover with water to a depth of 4cm. Half-cover the pan and cook the dal on a medium heat for about 1½–2 hours, until completely tender, adding extra water if needed to prevent it from becoming too thick. Roughly crush the dal in the same way with a potato masher. Keep the dal warm.
Heat a sturdy, dry pan on a high heat and add the spinach. Cook, stirring all the time, until the leaves start to wilt – this should take 1 minute. (You may need to do this in batches.) Scoop the leaves into a colander set over a bowl and leave to cool. When the spinach is cool enough to handle, squeeze any excess liquid out of the leaves with the palms of your hands, then roughly chop them. Leave to one side.
For the tarka, heat the ghee or oil in a small pan on a medium–high heat and add the cumin seeds and Kashmiri chilli. Swirl everything around for about 20 seconds, until the cumin releases its nutty fragrance and the chilli swells and becomes darker.
Turn down the heat to medium and add the garlic, ginger and green chillies and fry for 1 minute. Stir the diced tomato and cook for another 2 minutes, until softened.Tip this tarka into the hot dal, season generously with salt, then stir in the chopped spinach. Reheat and finish with the lime juice before serving straight away.
(Note: I’ve not changed anything in the original recipe, but I’ve included measurements for American audiences.)
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