Author name: The Food Charlatan

Homemade Doughnuts

I have found the secret to making the BEST fluffy glazed donuts of your life! Not all yeast doughnuts are created equal, and you may not even know what you’re missing if you’ve only visited a chain donut shop. This fried donut recipe is easy to make and such a fun process. I will show…

Tomato Pie Like You’ve Never Known

Tomato Pie is a savory dinner situation that you need to get on board with, like, yesterday. We are taking a bumper crop of ripe fresh summer tomatoes and layering them up in a pie crust with a bunch of cheese and a bit of mayo. Sounds weird, but I’m telling you my friends. Don’t…

Thai Cucumber Salad (for Chicken Satay)

This easy Thai Cucumber Salad recipe is light and refreshing! It is the perfect relish to go alongside Chicken Satay and Peanut Sauce. Quickly pickled cucumbers, shallots, peppers, and cilantro come together to make the perfect summer side dish for anything coming off the grill, whether it be Thai food or your regular grill menu!…

The Very Best Fruit Salad

Everybody needs a killer Fruit Salad, and this one is my favorite! You might not think you need a recipe (don’t you just…cut up some fruit?) But, as usual, I have insanely specific opinions about what fruit combo makes for the BEST Fruit Salad (and which ones ruin it). Also tips for sizing your dice,…

Shakshuka, But Better

Shakshuka (Eggs in Purgatory) is one of those dishes that is so iconic that dozens of cultures claim it as their own. Even knowing this, the most basic recipe (eggs poached in a spiced onion and tomato sauce) was totally underwhelming to me. I found the secret: adding white beans and goat cheese changes everything!…

Laura’s Fresh Veggie Sandwich

Guys I honestly didn’t think I could be sold on a Veggie Sandwich. But these vegetarian sandwiches are the best things to happen to my weeknight dinner routine this summer. An herby, cheesy spread on one side, creamy avocado on the other, and the perfect combo of fresh veggies in between, plus a lil Havarti…

No Bake Cheesecake

My go-to recipe for No Bake Cheesecake has all the classic elements you love: a dreamy creamy swirly filling on a crispy graham cracker crust. The perfect balance of tart and sweet! I have a secret ingredient that takes it over the top (it’s optional but guys, it’s so good.) No bake cheesecake is a…

THE BEST Brownie Recipe I’ve Ever Made!

I’m not exaggerating when I say that this is absolutely the BEST brownie recipe of my life. I spend a lot of time baking (and eating!) and I’ve never had another brownie like this one. It is the ultimate in rich, fudgy, chocolatey flavor, all thanks to the magic of browned butter. Regular brownies just…

Easy Cheese Sauce

If you have ever obsessed over the cheese fries from Shake Shack, this easy homemade Cheese Sauce recipe is for you!  A combination of fresh onions, jalapeños, and cheddar cheese bring the flavor, while heavy cream and American cheese make it rich and smooth. I am obsessed and have been putting it on everything! The…

The BEST Mac N Cheese

This is the Best Mac and Cheese recipe ever! I’m not kidding guys.When I put this in my mouth the first time, I literally stopped to shout hallelujah. Okay not really, but I’m telling you it is SO CREAMY AND SO CHEESY and so worth it. Originally published August 24, 2016. Award Winning Gourmet Mac and Cheese I…

The BEST Buttercream Sugar Cookie Frosting Recipe

The only buttercream frosting recipe you will ever need to top your soft Sugar Cookies with! Two special ingredients make this frosting the most vanilla-y recipe you ever did taste. Originally posted March 17, 2017. My tried and true Buttercream Frosting for Cookies Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone! What are you doing to celebrate Ireland getting all…

The Best Homemade White Cake from Scratch

HALLELUJAH! Finally a moist white cake from scratch that doesn’t taste like cardboard.  I promise, this will be the best homemade white cake recipe of your life! It is soft and fluffy, while still being super moist. The balance of fluffy and moist is exactly perfect for how cake ought to be! It’s full of buttery…

How to make Strawberry Shortcake

This classic recipe for Strawberry Shortcake is just like the kind your grandma made! A thick, sweetened shortcake with golden flaky layers, just like biscuits. Topped with the BEST Strawberry Topping and a mountain of whipped cream. Stop buying those weird yellow sponge cakes at the store. This is the real deal! I will show…

Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

These healthier oatmeal chocolate chip cookies have NO sugar, NO white flour, and only 2 tablespoons of butter in the whole batch! They are the perfect way to satisfy your mad chocolate cravings when you are supposed to be losing holiday pounds. Originally posted January 12, 2016. I saw this bumper sticker today: “How’s my…

Brown Sugar Peach Cake

A delightfully peachy cake made from a cake mix and a packet of Jello, of all things! There are real peaches in the cake, which makes it super moist (ok, and a lot of oil). It is topped with a rich brown sugar frosting! Originally published May 5, 2017. GUYS! I’ve been waiting for this day…

Best Smoked Pulled Pork Recipe

This AMAZINGLY juicy and tender BBQ Smoked Pulled Pork is made on a GAS grill! Get that unique smoky flavor you love without investing in an actual smoker. It’s an easy recipe that is pretty hands-off. The flavor is legit. The meat just falls apart, and you get that crispy blackened edge that only comes…

Best Rhubarb Custard Pie

This Rhubarb Custard Pie pairs the delectable tartness of rhubarb with a nice creamy custard for the perfect balance of sweetness, all wrapped up in a perfectly-flaky crust. Rhubarb is summer’s favorite dessert flavor and once you try this pie, you’ll agree. Don’t forget to serve it a la mode! Originally published June 4, 2014.…

Tomato Basil Summer Veggie Casserole

This easy and healthy tomato basil pasta casserole is a great way to use up all those vegetables from your garden. It feeds a crowd and tastes amazing! Perfect meatless dinner for a summer night. Originally published July 23, 2015. You want to know the best way to get killer tomatoes from your garden? Go…

Beef and Broccoli

Beef and Broccoli can be so hit and miss, right? Sometimes it’s transcendent, other times it’s gloopy and chewy. I’ve figured out the secrets! If you’re a Chinese food lover, make this easy homemade Beef and Broccoli recipe for a healthy dinner that’s faster (and cheaper) than takeout. A few Asian pantry staples are all…

How to Cook Rice on the Stove

Do you know how to cook rice on the stove? It’s actually SO easy to make rice in a pot. I promise you don’t need a fancy rice cooker appliance! If you’re tired of burned, mushy, bland rice, we are going to fix that today! I will show you step by step exactly how I…

Caramelized French Onion Dip

I have your dip recipe for the summer guys!! This French Onion Dip features caramelized onions in all their sweet and savory glory, rounded out with some tangy cream cheese and sour cream. Your potato chips have never known such bliss! I honestly thought I didn’t like onion dip, (it’s so…oily?) but homemade French Onion…

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Are you into rhubarb? If not, I’m here to tell you what’s up. This Strawberry Rhubarb Pie is one of my absolute FAVORITE pies of all time! Tart rhubarb paired with bright and sweet strawberries, tucked into a flaky golden pie crust, OR layered with a truly phenomenal crumble topping, you choose! I honestly can’t…

Pig Pickin Cake (Sunshine Cake)

Okay, hear me out folks. I know “Pig Pickin Cake” may not sound the most appealing, but I’M TELLING YOU. This cake is legit. Sometimes called a “Sunshine Cake,” it is a yellow cake with mandarin oranges baked right into it, then layered with pineapple whipped cream. It’s a classic from yesteryear and is SO…

Mexican Street Corn Dip Recipe

This corn dip recipe tastes just like an elote (Mexican street corn). It is the perfect combo of sweet corn and savory tart cheese. Plus it’s a lot easier to eat AND you get tortilla chips. Win! Originally published June 16, 2017. My cousin Lani has been making this corn dip for every family get-together…

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

If you want to be everyone’s favorite person at the next party you go to, bring these Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers! I promise they will be the first appetizer to disappear! I’ll show you how to make the 3-cheese spread spiced with smoked paprika and garlic, stuffed into a jalapeño, wrapped in bacon, and baked…

Scroll to Top