Quick DIY lamb stock made with browned lamb bones, shallots, carrots, celery, tomato, and white wine in a veal-stock base. Builds rich roasted flavor in just 30 minutes of simmering.
Homemade bagels made with potato water for extra softness and chew. Boiled in sugared water then baked until golden - this classic method delivers that glossy, crispy crust. Makes 30 bagels.
Puerto Rican-style larded pot roast studded with garlic-rubbed ham strips, browned and braised in tomato puree with onion and red pepper. Bold, old-school Latin comfort food.
Hot and sour soup with tofu, snow peas, red bell pepper, and water chestnuts in a tangy, spicy broth thickened with cornstarch. A vegetable-loaded Chinese-style soup ready in under an hour.
Homemade Creole sauce with okra, tomatoes, green peppers, onions, and sherry blended smooth. A versatile Louisiana-style sauce with heat from hot sauce and depth from chili sauce.
Sourdough bacon pancakes made with starter, crumbled fried bacon, and a last-minute baking soda lift. Tangy, smoky, and fluffy griddle cakes for a weekend breakfast.
Fresh pear salsa with tomatoes, green pepper, oregano, basil, and a kick of hot sauce. A sweet-savory fruit salsa ready in 20 minutes that pairs with chips, fish, or grilled chicken.
Sage pot roast braised in beef broth with red potatoes, carrots, and onions until fork-tender. A one-pot Sunday dinner with a thickened pan gravy from the drippings.
Cream of chicken soup with wild rice made from scratch: homemade broth from a poached chicken, nutty wild rice, mushrooms, and a velvety roux finished with a splash of white wine. Northwoods comfort in a bowl.
Ranch oyster crackers seasoned with ranch dressing mix, dill, and oil then baked until crispy. A four-ingredient snack that disappears fast at any party.
Marinated poached scallops served chef-salad-style over greens with hard-boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, radishes, and cheddar. A vintage seafood salad platter with a bright tarragon-vinegar dressing.
Gingered chicken salad with cubed cooked chicken, snow peas, bean sprouts, mushrooms, and scallions tossed in a fresh ginger-soy-sesame dressing. A 15-minute light Asian-style lunch salad.
State fair zucchini cake: a spiced sheet cake with shredded zucchini, walnuts, and golden raisins, topped with a lemon cream cheese frosting. Blue-ribbon classic.
Cajun-seasoned chicken breasts with a sweet-hot pepper jelly glaze made with vinegar, green onions, and chicken broth. One skillet, 25 minutes, and big bold Cajun flavor.
Szechwan dry-fried beef: shredded steak fried until dark and chewy, then tossed with hot bean sauce, chiles, ginger, and toasted Sichuan peppercorns for that signature mala numbing-spicy heat.
Classic zucchini bread with grated zucchini, cinnamon, and a moist oil-based crumb. Bakes two 8x4 loaves at once, freezes well, and only gets better the next day.