Andy Baraghani
Former BA senior food editor. When Andy is not developing and testing recipes, he can be found at garage or estate sells and flea markets in search of objects to clutter his apartment. He has an extensive collection of mortar and pestles that he is very proud of. Spirit food: Salt-packed anchovies, bottarga, fish sauce…basically anything that packs a wallop of umami. andybaraghani.com
Recipes
Honeydew and Fennel Salad With Basil
If you have a perfectly ripe melon—great! If you don’t, no worries. The salt, acid, and a bit of heat here will give life to lackluster specimens.
Recipes
Spicy Marinated Vegetables and Sardines on Toast
Don’t let the veggies hang out in the vinegar for too long. You want them to stay crunchy!
Culture
How to Cook Elaborate, Beautiful Meals for No One But Yourself
Sometimes, dinner for one is the best form of self-care.
Recipes
Lamb Chops with Tomato Salad
You want that lamb fat to render out gently; it’ll eventually become part of the sauce that will tie the whole dish together.
Cooking
This Eggplant Dip Is Smoky, Creamy Perfection
Don't have a charcoal grill? You can use gas or even an oven to make this summer staple.
Recipes
Tapioca Pearl Pudding with Grilled Peaches and Pistachios
You’ll want something crunchy to go with the soft pudding. Pistachios are just the start! Choose any nut or seed you like.
Recipes
Peach and Berry Cobbler with Cinnamon Cream
These three-ingredient biscuits work with any cobbler.
Recipes
Meringue Clouds with Peach Curd
This not-too-sweet curd can also be drizzled over pancakes, berries, or ice cream.
Recipes
Smoky Eggplant Dip
Serve this dip with chips, as part of a meze platter, or slather it on grilled chicken thighs.
Recipes
Ultimate Healthyish Trail Mix
If you don’t want to go all out with a big variety of dried fruits and nuts (they can get expensive), you can limit yourself to two of each. Just be sure to include the salted roasted chickpeas; they’re addictive and provide a little hit of protein in this mix as well.
Spiced Baby Eggplants
The farmers’ market in high summer is the best bet for finding the small, inky-purple, round eggplants used in this recipe.
Recipes
Rye and Caraway Crackers
The caraway is just a starting point. You can use another whole spice if you like (fennel seeds and cumin work well); keep the quantity the same.
Recipes
Shrimp Salad With Yogurt
You can make this salad ahead of time—but wait until an hour before to add the lemon juice, which will prevent the shrimp from getting tough.
Recipes
Potato Salad with Mustard Sauce and Watercress
Peewee Dutch Yellow Potatoes are the perfect tiny potato for this recipe, but if you can’t find them, just use the smallest fingerling or Yukon Gold potatoes you can buy.
Recipes
Dairy-Free Trout Dip
The almond purée that is added to the smoked trout will fool you into thinking there’s a boatload of dairy in this dip. It gives the dip an outrageously creamy consistency.
Recipes
Salmon Burgers With Pickled Cucumbers
The food processor is your friend when making these salmon burgers, but the key is to make sure the salmon isn't too smooth when processing so the patties can hold their shape.