"I start with this because I think it is the essence of all that is desirable in chocolate its dark intensity isn't toyed with, nor upstaged by any culinary elaboration. This is the plainest of plain loaf cakes-but that doesn't convey the damp, heady aromatic denseness of it. To understand that, you just have to cook it. And as you'll see, that isn't hard at all.

Bengalis share their love of whole black mustard seeds with South Indians, but unique to Bengal is the extensive use of freshly ground mustard paste. A pungent mustard sauce called Kasundi is an dipping sauce popular in Bengal.

One of our favourite dishes from Camille and Michael's wedding. Frying the potatoes and cauliflower is a long process, but it's worth it!

My version of Gina Marie Miraglia Eriquez's "Cheesy Corn Chowder" on epicurious.com.

Using bagged broccoli florets and preshredded carrots all but eliminates the prep with this vegetarian entrée. If you want to add meat, use chopped chicken or thin strips of flank steak.

Tried these with Ray and Hannah, Summer 2012.

Often called kosher-style dill pickles, these are quick to make. Use either small whole cucumbers or cut larger ones into quarters. For an additional interesting flavor, tuck a small dried hot red pepper into each jar.

Our weeknight dinners can become a little monotonous at times, but I make an effort to change things up on Sundays. Whether it’s an in depth recipe that takes hours to prepare or just a simple fresh marinade, I always try to incorporate something new to our repertoire.

Since it’s really warming up in Ohio, we have been using our grill to cook dinner on a regular basis. When we have time, we love to fire up the charcoal and hang out on the deck to enjoy the weather. What smells better than a fiery charcoal grill on a warm spring evening?

"A recipe is merely words on paper; a guideline, a starting point from which to improvise. It cannot pretend to replace the practiced hand and telling glance of a watchful cook. For that reason feel free to stir your own ideas into this dish. When you cook it once, it becomes yours, so personalize it a bit. Add more of an ingredient you like or less of something you don't like. Try substituting one ingredient for another. Remember words have no flavour, you have to add your own!"