Meats recipes

Moist bundt cake spiked with apple schnapps, applesauce, and warm spices. Raisins and nuts add texture. Beat for 4 minutes total for ultra-tender crumb. Great for fall gatherings or holiday gifting.

Grilled portobello mushroom sandwich with balsamic-shallot roasted red pepper, melted Monterey Jack, and garlic-thyme aioli on a toasted onion roll. The vegetarian burger that beats any beef one.

Homemade Thai green curry paste with dry-roasted coriander and cumin, fresh green chilies, lemongrass, and shrimp paste. Stores in the fridge for months and beats store-bought every time.

Cinnamon-spiced cranberry sauce made with whole cranberries, sugar and a cinnamon stick. Just four pantry ingredients and 20 minutes for a holiday side that beats anything in a can.

Smashed spiced sweet potatoes are oven-roasted whole, then smashed rustic-chunky with butter, maple syrup, chili powder, cumin, and ginger. A warm-spiced holiday side that beats marshmallow casseroles.

Fresh tomato salsa with bell pepper, jalapeno, garlic, cilantro, and lime, brightened with red wine vinegar and chili powder. The chunky homemade salsa that beats jarred every time, served fresh or rested for deeper flavor.

Homemade Dijon mustard from scratch: dry mustard whisked into a wine-onion-garlic infusion, sweetened with honey and kicked with hot pepper sauce. The sharp, complex condiment that beats anything in a jar.

Old-school cooked fudge with semi-sweet chocolate, butter, evaporated milk, and chopped nuts. The 14-minute boil and 10-minute beat method produces dense, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth fudge.

Cheeseburger macaroni copycat made from scratch in one skillet with ground beef, elbow pasta, ketchup, mustard, and Velveeta. A nostalgic, kid-pleasing weeknight dinner that beats the boxed version on every score.

Vegetable lo mein with dried mushrooms, celery, and bamboo shoots tossed with fresh wheat noodles in a light broth. A classic Chinese wok technique that beats takeout in under 30 minutes active time.

Oven-roasted peanuts coated in crushed chili peppers, cumin, and turmeric for a smoky, spicy snack. Golden and crunchy in just 30 minutes, these beat store-bought bar nuts every single time.

Almond torte made in the food processor with almond paste, butter, and a generous lift of eggs. Dense, marzipan-rich, and ideal with coffee. The processor method takes the work out of beating.

Velvety from-scratch cream of broccoli soup pureed until silky smooth and finished with cream, milk, and your choice of melty cheese. A warming, veggie-loaded bowl that beats anything from a can.

Banana caramel pie with a brown sugar custard cooked on the stovetop, sliced ripe bananas, and a whipped cream or meringue topping. A retro butterscotch-banana pie that beats anything from a box.

Swiss meringue buttercream that's silky-smooth and never gritty or cloying. Whip warmed egg whites and sugar into a glossy meringue, beat in butter, and finish with vanilla for a bakery-quality frosting.

Spicy roasted tomato soup with a horseradish kick, blended silky and served chilled under a bright herb salad of basil, tarragon and chervil. Roasting concentrates the tomatoes for a deep, smoky base that beats anything from a can.