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.
Recipes & Menus
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.
Recipes & Menus
Yellow Squash and Bell Pepper Torte
What you have here—sun-gold bands of decoratively arranged vegetables and clear, immediate flavors enriched with Parmigiano-Reggiano—is an absolute stunner. And, because the torte must be made ahead and weighted (to release excess liquid), it's ideal for entertaining. Serve it with anything grilled (fish, chicken, or lamb, for instance) and your guests will be over the moon.
Recipes & Menus
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.
Recipes & Menus
Minted Honey Mango Sauce
Recipes & Menus
Mozzarella Arrabiata Salsa
Recipes & Menus
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.
Recipes & Menus
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.
Recipes & Menus
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.
Recipes & Menus
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.)
Recipes & Menus
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.
Recipes & Menus
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.
Recipes & Menus
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.
Recipes & Menus
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.
Recipes & Menus
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.