Japan Meets the American South at Kata Robata
Fusing Flavor: Houston’s Kata Robata mixes traditional Japanese elements with cheesy southern flair. Cheese may not be the first ingredient you think of when it comes to Japanese cuisine. However, at Kata Robata, cheese seamlessly marries Japanese ingredients and the comforting flavors of Houston. Led by four-time James Beard Award–nominee chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi, Kata […]
Kata Robata Miso Lobster Mac and Cheese
Chef Hori conceptualized Kata Robata as an ambitious restaurant that fuses tradition with modern technique. His take on the Southern classic combines comforting cheesy flavor with miso paste and lobster for an umami-packed dish that wows. Chef Hori conceptualized Kata Robata as an ambitious restaurant that fuses tradition with modern technique. His take on the […]
DIY Infused Honey Is The Best You’ll Ever Have
Discover the sweet science of infusing honey with herbs, spices, and creativity for the ultimate flavor boost. Straight out of the hive, honey packs a powerful punch. As a sweetener, it’s 25 percent more potent than granulated sugar. It offers a range of floral notes derived from the blooms honeybees visit as they collect nectar. […]
Eton Mess Recipe
Photography by Rachel Robey My perfect dessert is probably pavlova, but Eton mess—a mix of crushed meringue, whipped cream, and fresh berries—is much less work for a similar payoff. This trifle-like dessert, which my family calls “eatin’ mess,” really belongs to Victorian England’s wealthy elite. Its earliest written record dates to 1893, when it was […]
Whipped Feta Spread with Roasted Red Peppers and Scallions
The spicy Greek Feta dip, htipiti, usually comes with the ingredients already mixed together, but this “deconstructed” version, originally served at Apiri Greek Eatery in Heraklion, Crete, is just as delicious. Serve with crusty bread or pita, cucumber spears, and kalamata olives.
Zucchini Carpaccio with Feta, Pine Nuts, and Mint
I had this dish at Omega3, a beachfront taverna in Platys Gialos, Sifnos, where it comes with a complimentary view of the Aegean.You can lay the zucchini slices flat on a platter rather than rolling them; the presentation isn’t quite as dramatic but the flavor is the same.
5 Creative Ways to Cook with Cream Cheese
CREAM CHEESE IS MORE THAN A SCHMEAR—IT’S A CULINARY STAPLEWritten and Photographed by Brandon Blumenfeld In the late 19th century, dairyman William Lawrence created cream cheese, a uniquely American spread inspired by France’s soft Neufchâtel cheese. Unlike its European counterpart, cream cheese is made with milk and cream, resulting in a smooth, velvety texture and […]
Cheesy Buckwheat Blintzes with Dates and Pistachios
These blintzes feature a smooth, creamy filling made from rich cream cheese. The key to a perfect blintz is in the folding and gentle browning in the pan, so be sure to watch the heat carefully. For a smoother crepe texture, you can make the batter ahead of time and refrigerate it.
Creamy and Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe
This creamy sauce comes together quickly, with no need for pre-cooking or special prep. Calabrian chili paste adds a mild heat—if you can’t find it, sambal oelek, sriracha, or harissa are good alternatives. The fried breadcrumbs cook quickly and make for a perfect crunchy topping.
Roasted Beets with Whipped Lemon Garlic Cream Cheese and Salsa Verde
Fresh salsa verde adds an acidic punch to this rich, velvety side dish, which can be served cold, room temperature, or slightly warm. For quick assembly, you can roast the beets and prepare the cream cheese spread up to two days in advance. To ensure beets are soft in the center, use a cake tester.
