Now & Again by Julia Turshen

Now & Again by Julia Turshen

10.01.19
In the Kitchen

Welcome to the first installment of Cookbook of the Month! For September 2019, I cooked from Now & Again by Julia Turshen.

Now & Again is proof that I don’t always know best what I want or need in a cookbook, but Julia Turshen is helping me learn. When I initially paged through this book I thought the recipes looked really good, but many were also things I had made some version of previously. Did I really need more versions of these dishes? I ended up purchasing the book because of a few standout recipes that hooked me, and I am so incredibly glad I did. This has become one of my most trusted books and is so perfect for the stage of life which I find myself in right now.

The book is organized seasonally, something I always appreciate because it helps guide my browsing and planning. Within each season, Julia shares five menus with all the recipes to pull it off. For example, the Card Night Enchiladas menu includes: garlicky shrimp with tequila + lime, chicken + roasted tomato enchiladas, kale salad with pepita dressing, and toasted coconut cake. But here’s where it really gets good…after each menu, she includes a handful of ideas of ways to repurpose the leftovers with the adorable heading It’s Me Again. As a busy working mom, leftovers are an important part of my strategy for feeding my family, and she has tons of brilliant and unique ideas in this realm.

Not only that, at the back of the book she has seven lists of seven things. Seven things to do with typical takeout leftovers, seven things to do with leftover snacks (my pretzel chicken recipe came from this list), seven things to do with not-so-new produce, and so on. Tons of practical wisdom and ideas that we can all learn from.

Overall, I think Now & Again is an absolute gem of a cookbook and one everyone could use in their repertoire. Julia shares her wealth of smart kitchen strategies and methods, as well as genius recipes that are as simple as they are delicious. When I find myself repeatedly saying, “Wow, that’s so smart!” or “Oh my gosh, so simple!” and then receiving rave reviews from the entire family, I know the book is a keeper.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Julia’s wonderful podcast Keep Calm and Cook On. I highly recommend it! It has become one of my top three favorites and I eagerly await each new episode.

Scroll down to see the dishes I made from Now & Again this past month, as well as a list of all the recipes I have made since owning it and the list of those I’m most anxious to try next. That list is long but I swear, it’s only the highlights!

Chicken and Roasted Tomato Enchiladas
Arugula Salad with Lemon + Pecorino
Maple Roasted Apples with Vanilla Ice Cream + Roasted Pecans
Tortilla Soup with The Works
Chorizo + Potato Tacos and Pineapple with Homemade Tajin
Applesauce Cake with Cream Cheese + Honey Frosting
01/06
Chicken and Roasted Tomato Enchiladas

I sure didn’t think I needed yet another recipe in my life, but also can hardly resist trying one. This version of red sauce enchiladas was a massive hit with everyone in my family, and the kids were literally begging for thirds. They are quite mild and I would probably amp up the spice a bit next time, but I also loved them as written.

Not only do these taste fantastic, the method was brilliantly simple (the hallmark of a Turshen recipe, in my opinion.) Anything that puts enchiladas on the table faster with less work for me is a huge win in my book.

Arugula Salad with Lemon + Pecorino

I used to avoid arugula due to one bad experience, but I’ve been coming around lately. I made this simple arugula salad one evening to go along with my tomato mozzarella pasta with fresh basil and it was a perfect accompaniment. I omitted the pine nuts because I don’t love them, but if you do then by all means, keep them in.

Maple Roasted Apples with Vanilla Ice Cream + Roasted Pecans

I made this easy and cozy dessert one Friday evening as the perfect sweet but light finish to a meal of comfort food. I think the kids were initially skeptical when I told them dessert was roasted apples with ice cream, but they ended up loving it so much that Caroline ate the leftovers for breakfast with Greek yogurt and they have both been asking me to make them again and again ever since that first night. I also love that this is so easy, the kids could do most of this with minimal help from me.

Tortilla Soup with The Works

I truly adore all of the recipes I have made from Now & Again so far, but I think this soup is my favorite of all for several reasons. First, it is by far and away the best tortilla soup I have ever made or eaten anywhere. I’m often underwhelmed by tortilla soup and almost skipped over this one as a result. I am so glad I didn’t! Second, the method is so simple and brilliant that I actually laughed out loud with delight when I realized how little the recipe was asking of me. Third, it is ideally made ahead of time on a day when you have a few hours to let it simmer, meaning you have dinner ready for an evening when you might need it most. I made this on a Sunday when I knew that my Monday was going to be total insanity and it was the most wonderful, comforting meal to come home to after the end of a long day.

Chorizo + Potato Tacos and Pineapple with Homemade Tajin

I made these tacos out of utter desperation for something simple and relatively quick. I just returned from traveling and unfortunately was delayed in getting home, so my plans to grocery shop before Monday were out the window. I was immediately thrown into the first day of a busy work week and had about 10 minutes between work and picking up Caroline to grab few random groceries. I saw chorizo, potatoes, and a very ripe pineapple, and this meal took shape in my head as I recalled seeing it in Now & Again.

This simple and comforting meal completely turned my crazy Monday around. Everyone went wild for these and again, the kids were asking for thirds. I wasn’t sure how they would feel about the pineapple with tajin, but they loved it as much as I did! Julia, please never stop writing cookbooks.

Applesauce Cake with Cream Cheese + Honey Frosting

Minimalist cakes are some of the best desserts, even when I feel the need to be a little bit extra and add a second layer. This is a lovely cake for fall, full of warm spices with an irresistible honey cream cheese frosting.

I’ll be sharing a full post including this recipe tomorrow, so check back then. I will update this section with a link when it is published.

View as a List
  • Chicken and Roasted Tomato Enchiladas
    Chicken and Roasted Tomato Enchiladas

    I sure didn’t think I needed yet another recipe in my life, but also can hardly resist trying one. This version of red sauce enchiladas was a massive hit with everyone in my family, and the kids were literally begging for thirds. They are quite mild and I would probably amp up the spice a bit next time, but I also loved them as written.

    Not only do these taste fantastic, the method was brilliantly simple (the hallmark of a Turshen recipe, in my opinion.) Anything that puts enchiladas on the table faster with less work for me is a huge win in my book.

  • Arugula Salad with Lemon + Pecorino
    Arugula Salad with Lemon + Pecorino

    I used to avoid arugula due to one bad experience, but I’ve been coming around lately. I made this simple arugula salad one evening to go along with my tomato mozzarella pasta with fresh basil and it was a perfect accompaniment. I omitted the pine nuts because I don’t love them, but if you do then by all means, keep them in.

  • Maple Roasted Apples with Vanilla Ice Cream + Roasted Pecans
    Maple Roasted Apples with Vanilla Ice Cream + Roasted Pecans

    I made this easy and cozy dessert one Friday evening as the perfect sweet but light finish to a meal of comfort food. I think the kids were initially skeptical when I told them dessert was roasted apples with ice cream, but they ended up loving it so much that Caroline ate the leftovers for breakfast with Greek yogurt and they have both been asking me to make them again and again ever since that first night. I also love that this is so easy, the kids could do most of this with minimal help from me.

  • Tortilla Soup with The Works
    Tortilla Soup with The Works

    I truly adore all of the recipes I have made from Now & Again so far, but I think this soup is my favorite of all for several reasons. First, it is by far and away the best tortilla soup I have ever made or eaten anywhere. I’m often underwhelmed by tortilla soup and almost skipped over this one as a result. I am so glad I didn’t! Second, the method is so simple and brilliant that I actually laughed out loud with delight when I realized how little the recipe was asking of me. Third, it is ideally made ahead of time on a day when you have a few hours to let it simmer, meaning you have dinner ready for an evening when you might need it most. I made this on a Sunday when I knew that my Monday was going to be total insanity and it was the most wonderful, comforting meal to come home to after the end of a long day.

  • Chorizo + Potato Tacos and Pineapple with Homemade Tajin
    Chorizo + Potato Tacos and Pineapple with Homemade Tajin

    I made these tacos out of utter desperation for something simple and relatively quick. I just returned from traveling and unfortunately was delayed in getting home, so my plans to grocery shop before Monday were out the window. I was immediately thrown into the first day of a busy work week and had about 10 minutes between work and picking up Caroline to grab few random groceries. I saw chorizo, potatoes, and a very ripe pineapple, and this meal took shape in my head as I recalled seeing it in Now & Again.

    This simple and comforting meal completely turned my crazy Monday around. Everyone went wild for these and again, the kids were asking for thirds. I wasn’t sure how they would feel about the pineapple with tajin, but they loved it as much as I did! Julia, please never stop writing cookbooks.

  • Applesauce Cake with Cream Cheese + Honey Frosting
    Applesauce Cake with Cream Cheese + Honey Frosting

    Minimalist cakes are some of the best desserts, even when I feel the need to be a little bit extra and add a second layer. This is a lovely cake for fall, full of warm spices with an irresistible honey cream cheese frosting.

    I’ll be sharing a full post including this recipe tomorrow, so check back then. I will update this section with a link when it is published.

View as a Slideshow

Recipes I Have Made from Now & Again

Italian Flag Baked Pasta
Arugula Salad with Lemon + Pecorino
Chicken + Roasted Tomato Enchiladas
Applesauce Cake with Honey + Cream Cheese Frosting
Iceberg Wedge Salad with Pickled Shallots
Double-Baked Potatoes
Crab Toasts with Lemon + Red Chile
Spaghetti with Scallops, Squid + Shrimp
Tortilla Soup with The Works
Pineapple with Homemade Tajin
Creamy Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
Chorizo + Potato Taco Filling

Recipes I Can't Wait to Try from Now & Again

Garlic + Anchovy Butter Toasts
Polenta + Nutella Sandwich Cookies
Toasted Coconut Cake
Celebration Chicken with Sweet Potatoes + Dates
The WHOLE ENTIRE No Stress Thanksgiving Menu
Sheet Pan Frittata with Roasted Mushrooms + Ricotta
Shredded Cabbage Salad with Feta + Herbs
Caramelized Bananas with Sour Cream + Brown Sugar
Boozy Lemon Slushies
Oven-Steamed Fish with Crispy Garlic + Red Chile Oil
Striped Bass with Butter Verde
Sautéed Zucchini with Green Goddess Dressing
Best Matzo Ball Soup
Charoset Quinoa
Confetti Meatloaf
Super Crunchy Lime-y Salad
Charred Tomatillo + Scallion Salsa
Grilled Okra + Corn with Lemon + Red Chile
Sliced Feta + Cherry Tomato Salad
Yogurt Cake with Fig Preserves

A note:
While the Amazon links in this post are affiliate links which help me offset a small portion of the costs of running this site, I highly encourage you to seek out and purchase this book from an independent bookstore. They need your business more than Amazon does. I bought mine at Powell’s in Portland while traveling.