Making a Dutch baby (a.k.a. German pancake) is a cook’s ultimate cheat code: It’s one of those breakfast recipes that look difficult to make when in reality it is quite simple. Just blend a few pantry staples (eggs, milk, flour, pinch of salt, etc.) into a smooth, thin batter, pour batter into a hot pan, … Read more
“Black garlic can make nearly anything taste good,” says Silver Iocovozzi, chef at Neng Jr.’s in Asheville, North Carolina. Made by aging regular garlic in a warm environment for a few weeks, the resulting cloves are jammy in texture, jet-black, and slightly sweet, with a deep, almost mushroom-like flavor. Locate black garlic at some specialty … Read more
This palak paneer recipe takes the simple-is-best approach: Frozen spinach leaves blended with hot water, paneer pan-fried in ghee, and very few add-ins to get in the way. If you’re looking to make a home-cooked version of the North Indian restaurant-style classic for the first time, this is a great place to start. The technique … Read more
When fresh basil abounds and you can get a bouquet the size of your head from the farmers market (a.k.a. The Most Wonderful Time of the Year), this basil fried rice recipe should be in your weekly rotation. You can use any variety, including vibrantly hued Thai basil leaves with purple stems, fragrant green Italian … Read more
These Middle Eastern meat-stuffed pitas get their earthy, spiced flavor from a scoop of baharat, a blend typically composed of cumin, allspice, black pepper, with further additions depending on the blend (baharat means “spices” in Arabic, so the components change from mix from mix). Finely chopped shallots add bulk to the ground beef and ensure … Read more
Lemon and tomatoes? They’re actually a match made in heaven—particularly when the lemons are of the salty, funky, a little bit floral preserved variety. Finely chopped, they add their savory notes to a simple tomato sauce that you can cook your chicken breasts in directly. The result is a foolproof, weeknight-friendly recipe you’ll make all … Read more
Cocoa powder and Old Bay seasoning combine to create a spice mix that turns nearly black when cooked yet tastes complex and anything but burnt. If using Creole seasoning instead of Old Bay, look for a blend like Tony Chachere’s or Zatarain’s that contains salt. But if yours doesn’t, add ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or … Read more
“My partner, Cherry, and I agree that broccoli is best when kept really simple,” says Silver Iocovozzi, chef at Neng Jr.’s in Asheville, North Carolina. Here large pieces of roasted broccoli make a great fork-and-knife side for a party, particularly when doused in a bright, savory, funky sauce made from dill, citrus, and fish sauce. … Read more
“I learned this recipe from my mother,” says Silver Iocovozzi, chef at Neng Jr.’s in Asheville, North Carolina. Large shell-on shrimp cook quickly (but gently thanks to the shell that prevents them from getting tough or rubbery) in a bath of Old Bay, butter, and a bit of celery for color and fresh crunch. “It’s … Read more
These no-bake cookies aren’t your average stovetop chocolate oat drops. For one thing, they don’t have any peanut butter (they call for almond butter instead). Next, they get crunchy toasted almonds for amped-up flavor and texture. Third, they get chewy dried cherries for a burst of acidity that complements the fruit notes in the chocolate … Read more