Making gifts for the holiday season needn't be labor intensive. Brew a large batch of infused oil, vinegar, or alcohol and give it away in ribbon-topped bottles or jars. Here are all the details you need for an easy gifting season!

Breakfast, Dairy Free, Drink, Fall, Gluten Free, Home & Family, Snack, Spring, Summer, Winter

Homemade Gatorade

Daniel Kohler · September 4, 2015

Hitting the gym and getting sweaty? When you're finished with a workout your body needs a boost of minerals in addition to a healthy dose of H2O. Shake up this quick drink and bid adieu to bottled sports drinks. You've got the ingredients on hand already, electrolytes full steam ahead!

Breakfast, Dairy Free, Drink, Fall, Gluten Free, Home & Family, Read, Snack, Spring, Summer, Winter

Electrolyte Science

Daniel Kohler · September 2, 2015

We see so many popular athletes advertising Gatorade and other sports drinks that we assume they’re the best option for electrolyte replenishment after a hard workout. But the truth is, as with many packaged goods, that we can do far better with a few ingredients from our pantries!

Dairy Free, Dessert, Home & Family, Video, Winter, Summer

Home & Family: Candied Fruit

Daniel Kohler · July 9, 2015

Preserving fruit with sugar is a centuries-old tradition that seems to rear its head every Christmas. As we celebrate Christmas in July with Hallmark, take to heart some candying tips. Get started on this now and you'll have gifts aplenty on your shelf to dole out come December!

Dairy Free, Dessert, Fall, Gluten Free, Home & Family, Side, Snack, Spring, Summer, Winter

Candied Lemon Peel

Daniel Kohler · July 3, 2015

This is not a new trick, it is simply good, old, cooking at its best. When we slowly replace water content in food with sugar we act to reduce the amount of H2O necessary to support the growth of bacteria and microbes. Which is to say, we preserve the food. Sugar is a most excellent prison for your lemons. Keep them alive far past their due date with this solution.

Drink, Home & Family

Lemon Lime Syrup

Daniel Kohler · May 13, 2015

Simple syrup isn't rocket science. Quite literally, in fact. When you mix equal parts water and sugar, you have a perfect solution for crying flavors of all sorts. Boil a few vanilla beans or some sliced ginger in the mixture and you'll be set for cocktails and soda alike.

Dairy Free, Dinner, Spring, Summer, Side, Veggies

Preserved Lemon Couscous

Daniel Kohler · April 14, 2015

The pillowy grains of couscous offer ample space for the absorption of preserved lemon in all its salty glory. Ever in search of the intersection of salty/sweet/spicy/sour, I found its address in this couscous. Preserved lemon, currants, fresh chili, (and some pinenuts for texture) all crash together in the final dish, causing a riot of flavor and color. Couscous cooks in mere minutes, and with the lemons you've got on hand this dish is a snap.

Dairy Free, Dinner, Gluten Free, Winter, Side, Video

Home & Family: Preserved Lemon

Daniel Kohler · April 13, 2015

Packing citrus fruit with salt is a technique used the world over, but when we talk about preserved lemon we mentally fly to Morocco. This is a terrific way to make use of your leftover winter crop, concentrating the flavor of lemons into a salty, tender, treat.

Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Side, Winter

Preserved Citrus

Daniel Kohler · April 10, 2015

What began as an experiment in the Moroccan tradition of preserving lemons turned into a mason jar proliferation of cured citrus. Once I cracked the code on preserving lemons (not terribly difficult) I decided to try the technique on every kind of citrus I could find at the market. Now I've got jars of lemons, meyer lemons, limes, valencia oranges, blood oranges, and grapefruit, sitting in my cabinet awaiting their debut on my dinner table!

Dairy Free, Dinner, Side, Spring, Veggies, Video

Asparagus Quinoa Salad

Daniel Kohler · May 8, 2014

Though we may be losing the weather for picnics, this salad will get you through the Fall inside or outside. It's quick to make at home in a large batch, then keep in your fridge to take to work for lunch. Swap out the asparagus for another veggie when the seasons change.

Dairy Free, Dinner, Fall, Gluten Free, Side, Spring, Winter

LEMON GARLIC CABBAGE

Daniel Kohler · March 13, 2014

Yes, I'm making a lot of cabbage this winter. Truth be told, I'm trying my best to cook from local ingredients and at my market this is the only vegetable I can find that is grown even remotely close to NYC. But, necessity is the mother of invention and I've been keeping my tummy full with delicious variations on this hearty vegetable. Tonight's presentation is tarted up with lemon rind and given a kick in the tongue with some dried chilies. Golden garlic rounds out the flavor wheel, making the dish a new staple in your repertoire.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds Green Cabbage
1 head Garlic Cloves, sliced thinly
Rind of 2 Lemons, cut in large strips
2 Dried Chilies
3-4 tablespoons Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

Business

Cut the cabbage into thin shreds, set aside.
In the bottom of a wok or large stockpot, heat the oil. When hot, add the garlic and fry until golden. Then add the lemon peel and dried chilies. Toast everything.
Add cabbage to pot, stir to combine, drop heat to medium-low and cook until tender (about 30 minutes), stirring infrequently.

Side, Snack, Dessert, Spring, Summer, Winter

LEMON YOGURT CAKE

Daniel Kohler · January 30, 2014

Yogurt adds a tang and spring to this cake that is most welcome, especially as we soldier through the winter. Feel free to substitute oranges or grapefruits for the lemons, the cake is splendid with any variety of citrus. An extra dusting of sugar on top before baking will reward you with a shimmering crust to present at the table. Winter baking need not be entirely cinnamon and cloves and apples and nuts. Lighten your load, bake a bright cake, remind yourself that Spring is on its way