Cookbooks

Creamed spinach is something we crave. Everyone else seems to love it too, because it’s soulfully satisfying. Another great thing about creamed spinach is that its high fat content allows it to freeze extremely well. Go ahead and make a double batch (and see if the other half actually makes it into the freezer). Swiss chard works just as well as spinach in this recipe. While this side is incredible on its own, wait until you try it with Chicken Meatballs (page 12).

French green lentils, or lentilles du Puy, are smaller and more delicate in flavor than the usual supermarket variety. They require only fifteen minutes of cooking too, which makes them a handy pantry staple. A drizzle of crème fraîche and heavy cream sends this dish over the top.

Saba (mosto cotto), a reduction of grape must, has a flavor similar to that of balsamic vinegar. It is a largely undiscovered treasure here in the states, but is commonly found in Italian pantries. Our ace recipe tester, Alison Ladman, came up with an easy recipe for a homemade version. You can also use aged balsamic vinegar that’s been reduced by half its volume. If no specialty grapes, such as Concord, are available, a mixture of red and white grapes works well too. A drizzle of this syrup brings out the sweetness of the roasted squash and beautifully offsets the saltiness of the drier ricotta salata cheese.

No baking required, so these are a fast and easy sugar fix! Just make sure the baking sheets fit in your fridge; otherwise, make some room and lay the sheets of waxed paper directly on the fridge shelf. These are also great to make with kids because there’s no hot stuff to fear. We like to layer these with Vanilla or Chocolate Ice Cream (pages 136 and 137), but Caramel (page 139) is pretty awesome too. The cookies will keep in the refrigerator for 1 week.

If prepared with a bit of inspiration, cauliflower can taste complex and flavorful. As with all recipes, the simpler the preparation, the more important attention to detail becomes, and with this dish, it’s all about the high-heat roasting. Don’t be afraid of a few burned edges. Cauliflower is low in sugar, so roast it hot and fast so that it browns well but keeps some of its wonderful crunchy texture. Make sure you don’t overcrowd the roasting pan, as this will cause the vegetable to steam instead of roast. You’ll love this alongside our Bouillabaisse Balls (page 23).

These cookies pack a triple punch with ground ginger, freshly grated ginger, and crystallized ginger. A touch of honey tempers the bite and adds richness. We love to build these into sandwiches with Cinnamon Ice Cream (page 143) in the winter or Plum Sorbet (page 144) in the summer.

Beets are so sweet and delicious that at the restaurant we try to feature them as often as possible. We also try to make things a little bit more interesting by adding pecorino to the beets instead of traditional goat cheese. FYI, the longer the beets are marinated, the better they tend to taste, so plan to prepare this dish in advance.

When you think of a macaroon, you think of a high, rounded cookie. Think again. At the shop we flatten them to accommodate ice cream in the middle. We love the toasted coconut flavor of the cookies, or for a nostalgic twist, try almond extract instead of the vanilla. Paired with Chocolate Ice Cream (page 137), it’s practically an Almond Joy!

Collard greens are sweet and yummy, but you need to cook them all the way through or they can be bitter and tough. Cooking them in salted water will speed up the process so you can get these greens into your mouth as soon as possible. A little splash of vinegar at the end of cooking helps brighten the flavor. We use these as a bed for the Bolognese Balls (page 6), but they work well with pretty much any meatball in the book.

Paired with Espresso Ice Cream (page 140), this is even better than a brownie sundae! use the best-quality bittersweet chocolate chips you can find for a richer flavor. We like the way the white chocolate chips give a graphic pop to the cookie. For a superintense chocoholic experience, add a scoop of Chocolate Ice Cream (page 137).

Green leafy vegetables like kale are extremely healthy, and kale is one of our favorites. The key to this recipe is cooking the anchovies and garlic until they are falling apart, almost melting into the dish. If you have an aversion to anchovies, feel free to leave them out. Just add a pinch more salt. Serve alongside Mediterranean Lamb Balls (page 24)

There’s a reason chocolate chip cookies are the classic American favorite. We bet some of these never even meet a cooling rack, let alone a cookie jar. We like ’em semisoft and paired with vanilla ice cream—the most popular combo at the Shop by far. Try them with our fresh Mint Ice Cream (page 142) for a refreshing sandwich twist.

Fennel is a staple ingredient at the Shop. It’s extremely versatile and just as delicious thinly sliced into a salad as it is roasted as an accompaniment. Don’t discard the green fronds; they are very flavorful, and you can use them for the Fennel Risotto (page 77).

This is a sophisticated but really simple cookie that can be used as a base for a range of add-ins. Once you’ve gotten your egg whites nice and glossy, try adding dried cherries or substitute almonds or pistachios for the walnuts. Orange zest and chocolate is another good combination. Which ice cream to consider? Besides the obvious Chocolate Ice Cream (page 137), Espresso Ice Cream (page 140) is another winner.

Make extra pecans and store them in a resealable container with a tight-fitting lid in the pantry or a cabinet. If they get a bit stale or soggy, you can always roast them again for a few minutes.

Complete comfort food . . . Layer these with our Cinnamon Ice Cream (page 143) and savor the spicy-sweet goodness of this sandwich. Try using freshly grated nutmeg instead of ground—you’ll be surprised by the difference.

Brussels sprouts are one of the highlights of the fall market. If you’re lucky you can buy them attached to the stalk. When roasted, the outer leaves become nicely browned, and in this recipe the flavor is intensified by the addition of apples and onions. The honey-roasted pecans add a wonderful sweet and salty crunch and are a bonus recipe here—you can snack on these with a cocktail too. And while we keep the veggies all vegetarian at the Shop, if you want to, roast a little bacon or pancetta along with them. The results will speak for themselves.

This basic recipe calls for only six ingredients, but the result is rich and creamy and utterly satisfying. Pair it with any of the cookies in this chapter for a righteous ice-cream sandwich or enjoy it simply on its own.

This ice cream combines two different forms of chocolate for a doubly intense chocolate experience.