Sumac roasted chicken with honey-glazed quince
Sumac roasted chicken with honey-glazed quince

Although sumac is more commonly associated with Middle Eastern cuisine, it grows wild and quite readily in the United States. "With its bright and citrusy notes, sumac should definitely become a part of every kitchen's spice arsenal," chef Jammir Gray says.

Chef Jammir Gray
Compline Restaurant and Wine Bar, Napa

Tomato pasta with gremolata
Tomato pasta with gremolata

Sacramento chef Patrick Mulvaney is a fan of canned tomatoes "because there's so much variety in what you can get out of it." Here's a delicious example.

Five mac and cheese
Five mac and cheese

Make it loaded! Add shredded, smoked pork shoulder and Calabrian chiles to the finished dish.

Seared halibut with peas, peas and peas and grapefruit
Seared halibut with peas, peas and peas and grapefruit
Halibut is a mild fish that pairs beautifully with seasonal sweet peas and an acidic ingredient like grapefruit!
Calabacitas (Pork-zucchini stew)
Calabacitas (Pork-zucchini stew)
There are many variations to this dish; however, squash is the one ingredient always present. "This is how I remember my mom's calabacitas, along with beans and fresh, homemade flour tortillas," chef David Gomez said. "I easily return to that moment of my life."
Mt. Lassen trout ceviche with melon and mint
Mt. Lassen trout ceviche with melon and mint
A surprising combination of savory, sweet and tart come together in this fresh summer dish. Featuring fish from Mt. Lassen Trout, it's the recipe that helped chef Reilly Meehan win "The U.S.A.'s Chef of the Year" title in 2019.
Chipotle chicken tacos
Chipotle chicken tacos
"One of my favorite dishes that my mom makes" is how Hank Guerrero categorizes this versatile chicken recipe, which can be served in tacos or over rice or nachos. "It's not overly spicy. It's a little smoky."
Carne asada tacos
Carne asada tacos
Skirt steak is Hank Guerrero's preferred cut for these tacos: "It's very tender and a little more forgiving if you overcook it. Remember to cut it against the grain."
Brown butter scallops and roasted walnuts
Brown butter scallops and roasted walnuts
This dish is amazingly simple to create, yet the nuances of sour, salty and crunchy balance the umami of the scallops beautifully!
Harris Ranch blue cheeseburger
Harris Ranch blue cheeseburger

Take your burger game to the next level with a few key additions!