39 nem recipes

Bite-sized wheat germ gem cookies rolled in toasted wheat germ for a nutty, crunchy coating. Brightened with orange zest and vanilla, these little rounds are a wholesome cookie jar staple.

Old-fashioned spiced cupcakes made with brown sugar, sour milk, raisins, and nuts. Warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in every bite. Frost with your favorite icing.

This Chinese invention is loved by Thais, who serve salty eggs as a contrast to the incendiary heat of a green curry or a bland dish. Kai kem is traditionally made with duck's eggs, which are cured for several weeks in a simple salt brine. Once cured, they keep for many months at room temperature, and are boiled when it's time to eat them.

Phanang Curry Paste (Nam Prik Kaeng Phanang) recipe

Thai yellow curry paste from scratch with dry-roasted cumin, coriander seeds, dried chilies, lemongrass, shallots, and garlic. Pairs best with beef and pork curries.

Homemade Thai red curry paste (nam prik kaeng daeng) with dry-roasted cumin and coriander, dried chilies, lemongrass, galangal, shallots, and shrimp paste. Pounded by hand for authentic depth.

Green Curry Paste (Nam Prik Kaeng Khiew Wah) recipe

Thai Kaeng Khua curry paste made with dried chilies, garlic, lemongrass, coriander root, and shrimp paste. A fragrant homemade paste that keeps 3-4 months refrigerated.

Homemade Thai green curry paste with fresh green chilies, lemongrass, galangal, shrimp paste, and coriander. Blends in minutes, beats store-bought every time.

Homemade Thai green curry paste with dry-roasted coriander and cumin, fresh green chilies, lemongrass, and shrimp paste. Stores in the fridge for months and beats store-bought every time.

Quick and easy way to dress up the baby new potatoes.

My version of Bobby Flay's very distinctive southwestern, egg-less potato salad from his restaurant, Mesa Grill. Make sure you pour the sauce over the potatoes while they're still warm to ensure the flavors soak in. This salad goes nicely with grilled meat, poultry or seafood.

Potato salad with pomegranate seeds, plain yogurt, and fresh cilantro. A bright, mayo-free side with jewel-like crunch and a tangy, lighter dressing.

Green bean and new potato salad with garlic-tarragon mayo. Steamed and tossed warm so the dressing sinks in, the kind of bright, crisp summer side that goes with everything off the grill.

Cheese puffs made from choux pastry, light and airy bites packed with sharp cheddar, baked golden and crisp outside, tender within. A French gougere-style appetizer for any party.

SPAM, sliced potatoes, carrots, and onions baked in foil packets with a sweet-tangy brown sugar, beer, and stone ground mustard glaze. A hands-off foil packet dinner with almost no cleanup.