‘I'd Always Wanted to Make Biryani, and This Did Not Disappoint'
Good morning. The sea otters were hammering clams open at the New York Aquarium the other afternoon, al fresco dining under a high sun that hinted at warmer days ahead. They looked stoked. We'd fed ourselves roast beef sandwiches from Roll-N-Roaster in Sheepshead Bay beforehand, and were in a similar mood. It was one of those perfect weekend days, a reminder that when it comes to time spent away from work, away from routine, it's a good idea to put food at the center of the leisure — to eat for pleasure, with intent.
It needn't be roast beef, though roast beef is awesome. (It needn't be clams, either.) This weekend, as Ramadan comes to an end, it might be chicken biryani (above) showered in pomegranate seeds, to eat with raita and naan. I love Naz Deravian's recipe for its vibrant depth of flavor, and for the way the chicken almost melts into the rice.
Featured Recipe
View Recipe →
It's a process recipe, which means it has a lot of steps. But that's fine on a weekend; more than fine. You can escape into the cooking and feel the pressures of the week that was fade away, replaced by the satisfaction of craft. The results are delicious. (Make sheer korma for dessert.)
Onward! You could set yourself up for warm bowls of overnight oats for breakfast, a meal my father would sometimes augment with crumbled bacon and cream, before pouring a splash of Scotch over the whole. You could build a pimento cheese pie for lunch, make chicharrones or bake and assemble a blackout cake.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
12 hours ago
- New York Times
This Super Summery Dinner Party Is Meant for Luxuriating
I should mention at the outset a few things about this menu. First, it's light, fresh, cool, elegant — meant for beating the heat — with the flavor-enhancing help of some familiar Japanese ingredients. It's also a bit of a splurge: You'll need to shell out for seafood and invest a certain amount of effort into the recipes. But the good news is that absolutely every dish can be prepared a day ahead, leaving very little last-minute fussing. Recipes: Chilled Cucumber-Spinach Soup |Miso Crab Cakes But it's an ideal menu for an al fresco dinner on a sultry evening, and I found myself serving it to friends on such a recent night. We started with this chilled cucumber-spinach soup — easy to put together and most welcome on a sweltering day. It's very green, whizzed up in a blender with briefly cooked leeks and spinach, ginger and a hint of smoked paprika. Cubes of silken tofu dressed with sesame oil and soy sauce add a lovely contrast to the base. For brightness, it is worth finding shiso leaves at an Asian grocery. Just a few strips of this sweet, fragrant herb contribute a flavor reminiscent of anise hyssop, hoja santa or flowering cilantro. (Gardeners, take note: My farming friends tell me it grows like a weed, returning yearly.) As a substitute, try Thai basil and a little squeeze of lime. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
6 Luxuries To Give Up This Summer If Tariffs Are Wrecking Your Budget
While it has been challenging to keep up with which tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump are in effect on what trading partner and when, the undeniable result is that many companies have raised prices on everything from food and clothing to hotels and other leisure related goods. Find Out: Read Next: If your budget is suddenly tighter as a result and you're looking at your summer plans and purchases with a more critical eye, here are some suggestions for some summer luxuries to pare back on if these tariffs are wreaking budget havoc. (Hint: If the word 'imported' or 'designer' is involved, scale back.) Who doesn't love a charcuterie board for a summer meal — you don't have to cook and you can bring it to an event looking like you worked all day in the kitchen. Unfortunately, some of the fruits and cheeses that look best on such a board are going to be facing price hikes right now. Instead, look for local deals from farmer's markets. Learn More: A lot of people have been learning the hard way that their favorite designer brands are often having their merchandise made in China, keeping it somewhat affordable. As a result, if you love a good pair of designer sunglasses, this is not the summer to get a new pair. Make good with the ones you have or pick up a less fancy pair for a better price. Apparel is one of the consumer areas hit hardest by the tariffs, since the vast majority of what Americans wear on their bodies and feet is made overseas. So slow your roll on a fashion-forward bathing suit that comes from a cute little boutique and look to the places that can still cut deals, like TJ Maxx or Ross Dress for Less. If summer is a time when you pad yourself with the accoutrements of fitness since you can spend more time outdoors, you might want to rethink that, too. Smartwatches and Fitbits may be more expensive than usual. Look into refurbished, secondhand or stick with what you've got until prices level off. You don't have to stop drinking wine or spirits, but you might find it's a lot pricier to buy your favorites if they're coming from overseas. Scotch whisky, French or Italian wine, even spirits made in Canada and Mexico may now cost you a lot more than you were hoping to spend. Alternately, it's a great time to indulge more in nonalcoholic treats. If you're traveling this summer and love to pick up souvenirs wherever you go, you might want to think twice about carrying home armloads to your friends and family. A single memento to help you commemorate the trip might be enough, or perhaps your photos and memories will suffice. More From GOBankingRates Are You Rich or Middle Class? 8 Ways To Tell That Go Beyond Your Paycheck This article originally appeared on 6 Luxuries To Give Up This Summer If Tariffs Are Wrecking Your Budget Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Elle
6 days ago
- Elle
Sydney Sweeney's 5-Outfit Press Day Included a Breathtaking Red Ball Gown
Sydney Sweeney had a fashion marathon in New York City yesterday, stepping out in five different outfits to promote her upcoming psychological thriller Echo Valley. Stylist Molly Dickson put together the looks, which included a show-stopping ball gown and chic blazer minidress. Sweeney started the day in a nautical-inspired look by Coperni. She wore a black vest with a structured sailor-style collar over a pleated white skirt. Black knee-high boots, a leather handbag, and oversize sunglasses completed the ensemble as she departed her hotel en route to Good Morning America. The actress was then photographed leaving the studio in an archival Jean Paul Gaultier outfit from the brand's fall/winter 2005 collection. The chocolate-brown vintage look resembled a blazer minidress and included a matching necktie. Sweeney accessorized with pointed brown pumps, a compact handbag, and tinted sunglasses. Her third appearance featured a plaid brown co-ord set from Oscar de la Renta's fall 2025 collection. The checked blouse and matching wide-leg trousers were styled with an ivory top-handle bag and powder-blue heels. For the film's red carpet premiere that evening, Sweeney changed into a custom Vera Wang ball gown. The bright-red silk design featured a sculpted neckline and peplum waist, adding dramatic volume to the flared skirt. She completed the look with diamond studs from Kwiat. Later that night, the actress made another outfit change, stepping out in an off-the-shoulder red cocktail dress with ruched detailing and a high slit, paired with matching pumps. Outside of her acting work, Sweeney recently confirmed her split from former fiancé Jonathan Davino and spoke candidly about embracing single life. 'I'm learning a lot about myself, spending more time with my friends. And I'm loving it,' she told The Times.
