I once heard the Appalachian author and editor Ronni Lundy say, “There’s no such thing as a bad biscuit,” and the idea has stuck with me over the years as I’ve tried many times to prove her wrong: overworking, overcooking, and generally overthinking dozens of attempts. Even a botched biscuit has its charms when it’s … Read more
Sicilian pizza is an Italian-style pie identified by its thick, chewy, bready crust—similar in texture to a slab of focaccia, but under a layer of toppings like tomato sauce and other ingredients. In Sicily cheese is not required, but in this more American take on the classic, mozzarella and pepperoni pair up for a nostalgic … Read more
This is a classic green bean casserole recipe for the 21st century. Whether you grew up with the canned soup version at every Thanksgiving dinner or this is your first time encountering the storied side dish, it’s guaranteed to impress. This iconic casserole recipe is steeped in post–World War II American culture: In 1955, Campbell’s … Read more
It’s tough to describe exactly what a caramel roll is, yet every Midwesterner seems to know. It’s not a sticky bun, and it’s not just a cinnamon roll either. A caramel roll is a large cinnamon bun that is soft, plush, buttery, cinnamon-y, drenched in caramel, and sometimes includes nuts. It’s distinctively pronounced car-mull (not … Read more
Step 1 Place racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 350°. Scatter 1 cup coarsely chopped raw pecans on a rimmed baking sheet and 1 cup (packed) unsweetened coconut flakes on another rimmed baking sheet. Toast coconuts and pecans, rotating baking sheets top to bottom and front to back and stirring after … Read more
A kringle is a flaky, buttery pastry with deep Northern European roots. Danish immigrants brought the tradition for making the original pretzel-like specialty with them to their new homes in the small town of Racine, WI. After combining Danish and American baking techniques, the Wisconsin kringle was born: a shareable large oval pastry that gets … Read more
Derby pie is a nut pie (traditionally walnut, often pecan) that’s similar to a classic pecan pie except that it’s studded with chocolate chips and flavored with a heavy glug of bourbon. It was invented in 1954 by Walter and Leaudra Kern at the Melrose Inn in Prospect, Kentucky. Sticky-sweet and gooey, yet sturdy enough … Read more
Let’s talk about that unassuming container of hummus in your fridge. Yes, that one. Because guess what? It’s not just a dip but your gateway to a next-level velvety dressing. Chickpeas aside, when you think of the typical ingredients that go into hummus—tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil—you essentially have the makings of a … Read more
Chaat is one of my all-time favorite foods. It can be a snack, a shareable side for game day, or a dinner all on its own. This take on aloo chaat swaps the typical boiled spuds for frozen tater tots that get crisped up and tossed in spice-infused ghee. Using tater tots not only saves … Read more
When the weather is cold and rainy, grilling is the last thing on most people’s minds. But approximating the ultra-savory flavor of flame-grilling is a lot easier than you might think, all thanks to one invaluable kitchen staple: your broiler. Yes, the often overlooked function on your oven is the key to indoor “grilled” chicken … Read more