Andrea Albin
Contributor
Andrea Albin is Houston-based chef, recipe developer, tester and food stylist with over 15 years of experience in food media. She began her career cooking in some of New York City’s top restaurants and then, at the age of 26, took a coveted position in the test kitchens of Gourmet magazine, where she learned and practiced her craft with the best in the industry. After Gourmet, Andrea spent 4 years at the Food Network, developing innumerable recipes for Food Network Magazine.
Pickled Collard Greens with Pineapple
Sweet-tart pineapple is wonderful with pork, as are collard greens. The two together, plus a healthy dose of vinegar, morph into something that's utterly surprising and utterly delicious. It both complements and cuts the richness of the meat.
Peppercorn Roasted Pork with Vermouth Pan Sauce
Infusing pork butt with pink peppercorns and garlic enhances its superb flavor. The vermouth in the pan sauce has a masterful synchronicity with the juniper-like aroma of pink peppercorns and gives you enormous complexity from just one ingredient.
Concord Grape Sorbet (Sorbetto di Uva)
Although uva means "grape" in Italian, Concords are native to North America. A velvety sorbet brings out their inky, foxy intensity. It will, in fact, swing you right into autumn.
Cantaloupe Grappa Semifreddo
A semifreddo is an Italian soft-frozen custard mousse. Grappa, which is floral and just a little edgy, bumps the musky, intoxicating sweetness of the melon up a notch.
Salted Caramel Ice Cream
It might seem odd to describe something cold—ice cream—as sultry, but there is no denying genuine come-hither appeal. Based on a traditional candy from Brittany (and a favorite flavor pairing among French and American chefs), the combination of salty and sweet exerts an almost primordial pull, and cream, milk, and eggs provide lush, luxurious texture.
Gianduia Gelato
The satiny hazelnut-flavored chocolate called gianduia—named for the masked character Gianduia of the centuries-old Italian commedia dell'arte—makes for a gelato that is suave and intense.
Tangy Frozen Greek Yogurt
Americans have learned to appreciate plain whole-milk "Greek-style" yogurt in all its thick, rich, creamy glory, and those attributes are played up here. Buttermilk and lemon juice bolster its pleasing tartness, and light corn syrup adds body.
Perfect No-Cook Strawberry Ice Cream
This ice cream forgoes eggs, which can mask the flavor of fresh berries. The result is an intensely-flavored dessert, so make sure you're getting the best berries you can find. (Our strawberry buying guide can help.)
Chipotle Pork Cheeseburgers
Unless you're shopping for "meatloaf mix," it's easy to overlook ground pork. Smoky pork burgers topped with melted Muenster and creamy avocado will broaden your horizons. Don't skip the sliced tomatillo—its crisp tartness really perks things up.
Shrimp and "Pearls"
These pearls may not be from the sea—couscous is actually a type of pasta—but their firm texture makes them a natural partner for sautéed shrimp. The simple tomato and white-wine sauce adds spark.
Summer Rolls With Baked Tofu and Sweet-and-Savory Dipping Sauce
Vietnamese-style rolls are a great addition to your summer repertoire: They require very little cooking and can be assembled at the kitchen table or out on the patio. Thanks to bean thread noodles and baked tofu, they make a substantial meal, but pickled vegetables and a trio of herbs keep each sauce-dipped bite light and cool.
Pavlova With Lemon Curd and Berries
The ruffly white meringue called a Pavlova is all about sublime textures. Here, the crunchy yet marshmallowy meringue meets silky lemon curd, juicy ripe berries, and billows of whipped cream. Virtually the national dish of Australia, the dessert is claimed by New Zealand as well; it was named for the Russian prima ballerina Anna Pavlova, who toured both countries in 1926. The inspiration for this recipe came from food stylist (and New Zealander) Toni Brogan.