Category: Recipe Roundup

5 Weeknight Recipes for the Ambitious Cook

Bad news: It’s getting dark super early again. There’s something about looking out the window after a long work day and seeing your vitamin-D deficient reflection (instead of the glorious sun) that just makes going home feel like a bummer. That’s when …

Bad news: It’s getting dark super early again. There’s something about looking out the window after a long work day and seeing your vitamin-D deficient reflection (instead of the glorious sun) that just makes going home feel like a bummer. That’s when I turn to cooking. My free time—previously consumed by frolicking outdoors— significantly lengthens as we creep towards winter, and a super fun recipe with an incredible payoff is a delicious way to bring some joy to the doldrums of uninspired, late-fall weeknight cooking. Below are some of my favorite recipes that take a bit of time, a touch of planning, and just a few extra ingredients, but are incredibly worth it—trust me.

1. Mushroom chowder with crispy mushroom bacon

DIY mushroom bacon? Sign me up. The bacon is optional here, but I beg to differ. The crispy, crunchy bits, contrasting with the creamy soup (and tender bites of more mushrooms inside) are a perfect, savory match. Heck, make some extra “bacon” for tomorrow’s breakfast.

Read More >>

7 Simple Ways to Transform Your Holiday Leftovers

We’re teaming up with our friends at Finish, the #1 recommended detergent in America by dishwasher brands*, to share some of our Test Kitchen’s best tips for reducing mess while hosting this holiday season.

Thanksgiving is everything the holidays sh…

We’re teaming up with our friends at Finish, the #1 recommended detergent in America by dishwasher brands*, to share some of our Test Kitchen's best tips for reducing mess while hosting this holiday season.

Thanksgiving is everything the holidays should be. It’s a time to gather with my nearest and dearest, flex my cooking chops, and of course, eat the best assortment of food. But, after days of grocery shopping, prepping, cooking, and hosting, all I want to do is relax on the couch—and the only thing I want to eat is leftovers..

Read More >>

5 Weeknight Meals Using What’s Already in My Kitchen

Grocery shopping is, by far, my favorite chore. Especially when I technically already have enough food at home, leaving me to browse the aisles purely for fun. However, it’s sadly not a hobby I can always indulge in. At the moment, my kitchen/pantry/fr…

Grocery shopping is, by far, my favorite chore. Especially when I technically already have enough food at home, leaving me to browse the aisles purely for fun. However, it’s sadly not a hobby I can always indulge in. At the moment, my kitchen/pantry/fridge is nearing its capacity, and I’m trying to save some extra cash—all of which means that a big grocery trip is not in the cards this week. So, I decided that my goal for the next five days is to cook using ingredients I already have. The approach? I’ll definitely be leaning on pantry staples—like rice, beans, and potatoes—while also making use of some wildcard items that have been sitting on my shelves and require more creative solutions. With that in mind, here are five dinners that make use of the fresh produce, canned foods, and frozen items I have on hand.

From Our Shop
Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron Round Dutch Oven, 7.25QT

Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron Round Dutch Oven, 7.25QT $460

More Colors
Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Baking Sheets

Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Baking Sheets $24–$34

More Options
Five Two Walnut Wooden Spoons
Sale!

Five Two Walnut Wooden Spoons $22–$99 $18.99–$94.99

More Options

1. Cabbage

I’ve got a giant, untouched green cabbage taking up too much space in my fridge. And while this recipe calls for Savoy or Napa cabbage, recipe developer EmilyC says that as long as you give it some extra time to simmer, green cabbage will work well, too.

Read More >>

25 Breakfasts for a House Full of Holiday Guests

Hosting big holiday gatherings filled with visiting relatives and friends often means putting up a few overnight guests, too. For the best results (read: no fights or political arguments) during an extended stay, you need to keep morale high—and there’…

Hosting big holiday gatherings filled with visiting relatives and friends often means putting up a few overnight guests, too. For the best results (read: no fights or political arguments) during an extended stay, you need to keep morale high—and there’s no better way to boost a group’s collective mood than by feeding them a well-made breakfast.

Don’t forget, though, that your mood will also impact the group’s morale. Tackle too much, too early, and most of us are liable to pout, shriek, or snarl. Our advice: Make everyone breakfast, but do it easily. Turn to some combination of make-ahead and low-effort recipes that deliver convenience and flavor.

Read More >>

32 Recipes for a Dream Winter Dinner Party Menu

Winter is the perfect time to throw a dinner party, but the reality of coming up with a menu can admittedly be daunting. With a little planning, though, you can be certain that the night will be a success. The secret? Don’t leave everything to the day …

Winter is the perfect time to throw a dinner party, but the reality of coming up with a menu can admittedly be daunting. With a little planning, though, you can be certain that the night will be a success. The secret? Don’t leave everything to the day of. Rather, in the week leading up to the party, figure out your menu, shop for ingredients, ensure you have enough dinnerware for all your guests, and prep any dishes that can be made ahead and reheated. Doing so will eliminate unnecessary stress and allow you to focus on what’s really important: enjoying the company of your nearest and dearest. To help inspire your next winter dinner party menu, we’ve gathered 32 of our favorite recipes for every part of your meal.

From Our Shop
Five Two Airtight Silicone Lids
our line!

Five Two Airtight Silicone Lids $40

More Colors
Five Two Over-the-Sink Dish Drying Rack
our line!

Five Two Over-the-Sink Dish Drying Rack $45

More Colors
Five Two Ultimate Apron with Built-In Pot Holders
Sale!

Five Two Ultimate Apron with Built-In Pot Holders $25–$45 $24.99–$39.99

More Options

Appetizers

During every dinner party, there’s that period of time when guests start to arrive, but the host is still finishing things up in the kitchen. The best remedy to this inevitable dinner party woe? A selection of delicious, snackable appetizers to keep guests entertained. Winter is the perfect time of year to lean into warm, cheesy options—like baked brie or a mortadella and provolone tart—but you also can’t go wrong with a classic dip like hummus.

Read More >>

Our 7 Favorite Brownie Recipes

Brownies are the LeBron James of desserts. Similar to how nobody can pinpoint exactly what position the Los Angeles Laker plays, brownies lack a clear dessert designation: Are they cookies? Cakes? Fudge? Who’s to say. Of course, nobody really cares. Br…

Brownies are the LeBron James of desserts. Similar to how nobody can pinpoint exactly what position the Los Angeles Laker plays, brownies lack a clear dessert designation: Are they cookies? Cakes? Fudge? Who’s to say. Of course, nobody really cares. Brownies, like LeBron, transcend categorization because they’re so damn good. Whether you’re grabbing one as an afternoon treat or using it as the foundation of an ice cream sundae, the brownie has limitless potential.

With that—and LeBron—in mind, here are seven of our all-time favorite brownie recipes.

Read More >>

42 Christmas Desserts to Make This Holiday Season

There’s a lot to love about Christmas, but it’s hard to beat the holiday’s extensive—and beloved—dessert selection. Of course, any sweet can qualify as a Christmas dessert, but there are certain flavors and confections we find ourselves especially draw…

There’s a lot to love about Christmas, but it’s hard to beat the holiday’s extensive—and beloved—dessert selection. Of course, any sweet can qualify as a Christmas dessert, but there are certain flavors and confections we find ourselves especially drawn to around the holidays. An assortment of Christmas cookies—from wintry, rosemary-infused shortbread to almond-scented, Italian rainbow cookies—is always a winning choice. You can’t go wrong with traditional chocolate roulades and mince pies. And going the extra mile to make truffles and caramels, or a showstopping Christmas cake or gingerbread tower, will never go unappreciated. Without further ado, here are 42 of our favorite Christmas desserts.

From Our Shop
Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Baking Sheets

Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Baking Sheets $24–$34

More Options
Mosser Colored Glass Cake Stand
exclusive

Mosser Colored Glass Cake Stand $46–$227

More Options
Five Two Adjustable Rolling Pin with Measuring Rings
our line!

Five Two Adjustable Rolling Pin with Measuring Rings $39

Christmas Cookies & Bars

When you think of Christmas desserts, your mind likely goes straight to cookies: They’re a classic—and arguably essential—part of the festive season. Make a single cookie variety if you’re hoping to keep things simple this year, or try several for the ultimate Christmas cookie spread.

Read More >>

These One-Pot Dinners Make Clean-Up *So* Easy

This holiday season, we’re teaming up with our friends at Finish, the #1 recommended dishwashing brand in America*, to share some of our favorite one-pot dinners that make cooking—and cleaning up—easy as can be.

There’s a reason one-pot (and pan!) m…

This holiday season, we’re teaming up with our friends at Finish, the #1 recommended dishwashing brand in America*, to share some of our favorite one-pot dinners that make cooking—and cleaning up—easy as can be.

There’s a reason one-pot (and pan!) meals have skyrocketed in popularity in the last few years. The tenets of these dishes are simple. They must come together in one cooking vessel, whether it be a Dutch oven, cast-iron skillet, or baking sheet. They must not have long ingredient lists—that would defeat the point—and, of course, they must be delicious.

Read More >>

Our 10 Most Popular Recipes in September

September is a period of transition, and the month’s most popular recipes surely reflect that. Summery dishes—like Botanica’s Tomato Tonnato—sit alongside cozy, fall-ready meals, like Mandy Lee’s Korean Rice Cake “Lasagna,” or Chicken-Fried Mushroom St…

September is a period of transition, and the month’s most popular recipes surely reflect that. Summery dishes—like Botanica’s Tomato Tonnato—sit alongside cozy, fall-ready meals, like Mandy Lee’s Korean Rice Cake “Lasagna,” or Chicken-Fried Mushroom Steaks from our Food Editor, Emily Ziemski. Though it’s an eclectic mix, we’re not complaining: From three types of freshly baked bread from Resident Erin Jeanne McDowell to Harper Fendler’s perfect, homemade cosmopolitan, we’re embracing everything this season has to offer. In no particular order, here are September 2023’s most popular recipes, based on page views.

From Our Shop
Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Baking Sheets

Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Baking Sheets $24–$34

More Options
Five Two Walnut Wooden Spoons
Sale!

Five Two Walnut Wooden Spoons $22–$99 $18.99–$94.99

More Options
Staub Cast-Iron Daily Pan With Lid
Sale!

Staub Cast-Iron Daily Pan With Lid $299.99 $169.95

More Colors

1. Rice & Bean Hand-Snack Burritos From JJ Johnson

As their name implies, these burritos are a perfect afternoon snack—but they’re hearty and filling enough to eat for lunch or dinner, too.

Read More >>

11 (Very) Different Ways to Make a Chocolate Chip Cookie

chocolate chip cookies are a highly personal thing, and what I’m not here to do is tell you that my ideal version is better than any others. Personally, I gravitate towards cookies that are made with browned butter, lots of salt, and feature crispy edg…

chocolate chip cookies are a highly personal thing, and what I’m not here to do is tell you that my ideal version is better than any others. Personally, I gravitate towards cookies that are made with browned butter, lots of salt, and feature crispy edges with a chewy center—but I know that for some people, a cakey, soft cookie, or even a nutty, whole-wheat iteration, is the ultimate goal. To recognize—and celebrate—the many forms that chocolate chip cookies can take, we’ve gathered 11 of our favorite versions, with each one suiting a different preference, baking style, or dietary need.

From Our Shop
Five Two Kitchen Utensil Collection
Sale!

Five Two Kitchen Utensil Collection $20–$99 $14.99–$99

More Options
Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Baking Sheets

Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Baking Sheets $24–$34

More Options
French Ceramic Mixing Bowls
Sale!

French Ceramic Mixing Bowls $40–$165 $32.99–$165

More Options

1. For the Purist

If you want classic chocolate chip cookies (and you want them right now), reach for this Genius recipe from Tara O’Brady. There’s no rest or chilling time required, no unexpected mix-ins or techniques—just the best version of a simple, streamlined cookie.

Read More >>