Food Network Magazine July/August 2022

Go Big on Basil Summer is prime time for basil, so get your fill: The herb contains minerals, antioxidants and vitamins A and K, which can help improve vision and bone health. Whip up a pesto, or try the caprese salad on page 101. Pick a Pickle Head to page 71 and make a big batch of pickled veggies for your next cookout: A recent review of studies in the Journal of Functional Foods suggests that the good bacteria in pickles (known as lactic acid bacteria) may help reduce inflammation and stimulate the growth of anti-infectious cells. Bonus: Our pickle recipe contains ginger, another anti-inflammatory. Try Some Sorghum Next time you reach for a sweetener, opt for sorghum: The molasseslike syrup is packed with calcium, magnesium and potassium—way more than sugar, honey, maple syrup or…

What’s your go-to road trip snack? “I love a chili cheese dog. I hardly ever see them anywhere, so whenever I do, I get one.”“I always make a bag of mixed nuts and dried fruits. That said, barbecue chips are my life.”“My favorite gas-station treat is a Slim Jim and a grapefruit Perrier. It’s the perfect combo of high-low gourmet goofiness.” A New Cookbook for Kids! Our latest book will keep kids busy all summer and beyond: It’s filled with 365 creative, easy recipes—one for every day of the year! The Recipe-A-Day Kids Cookbook stores now or order at foodnetmag.com/recipeadaycookbook.…

Comedian Jim Gaffigan summed up summer vacation perfectly when he said it’s basically just eating in a place we’ve never been: “Well, why don’t we eat something, then we’ll go get something to eat? Then we’ll see that thing we’re supposed to see (they probably have a snack bar there, right?), and after that we should get something to eat!” This was pretty much how a recent trip to Washington, DC, went for me and my husband. It was a 24-hour jaunt to have dinner at José Andrés’s restaurant Minibar, but on top of our mind-blowing 15-course meal there, we crammed in visits to two cafés, a cocktail bar, a couple of doughnut shops and a breakfast joint before we headed back to New York. As we were making our way…

1 Make maple bacon for Canada Day: Bake thick strips on a rack-lined sheet pan at 375˚, 25 minutes; flip and brush with maple syrup halfway through. 4 Happy Fourth! Whip up patriotic berries: Beat 4 ounces cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar and some vanilla; pipe into strawberries. Top with blue sprinkles. 5 HBD to Sylvester Graham, inventor of the graham cracker. Build a graham cracker beach hut—go to foodnetwork.com/grahamhut. 7 Sliced bread was first sold on this day in 1928. Try a new toast: Spread with butter, then top with lemon curd and swirl in clotted cream. 9 Cool off with a hot-cold treat this weekend: Top mango or lime sorbet with chili-lime seasoning. 10 Donate to a local soup kitchen today: It’s Eid al-Adha, and millions are celebrating by giving food to those…

1 It’s peak tomato season! Toss cherry tomatoes with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper and roast at 400˚, about 20 minutes. Serve over pasta. 4 America’s first supermarket, King Kullen, opened on this day in 1930. Celebrate by watching Guy’s Grocery Games on discovery+! 6 It’s Saturday night, so hit the club… sandwich! For the best flavor, season tomato slices with salt and pepper before layering with turkey, bacon and lettuce. 6 7 National Farmers’ Market Week starts today. Visit a market near you and be adventurous: Buy a veggie you’ve never tried before! 10 Make today Wellness Wednesday and have a smoothie: ee Blend frozen mango with a banana, orange or juice and grated ginger. 13 Have a color-coordinated dinner party: Alfred Hitchcock famously threw one with all blue food—and today’s his birthday! 15…

Alex vs America Alex Guarnaschelli’s new show pits her against experts with different culinary styles while host and star chef Eric Adjepong reports on the action. We asked Eric to dish on Alex before the competition begins. What are Alex’s strengths and weaknesses? Her greatest strength is definitely her culinary knowledge and competition experience. Weaknesses? Iron Chefs don’t have any. What trick have you learned from Alex that helps you cook better under pressure? I really admire Alex’s ability to stay calm. She’s rarely rattled, which is an obvious leg up when you have other chefs trying to take you down. What’s one dish that would stump Alex? My guess would be a dessert dish—something sweet and totally out of her wheelhouse. But truthfully, I’m afraid to answer this because she’ll just study up and find a…