214 plain recipes

Apple-cherry pie with a flaky shortening crust, quick tapioca thickener, and a nutmeg-sugar finish. The tart cherries brighten up classic apple pie in a way plain apples never do.

Southern hush puppies with creamed corn, chopped onions, and cornmeal batter. Drop by spoonfuls into hot oil, fry until golden for moist, slightly sweet cornbread fritters.

Farfalle tossed in a creamy cilantro pesto made with cottage cheese and yogurt, finished with garlic and red pepper flakes. Light, fresh, and easily made vegan.

Fresh corn muffins with real corn kernels, buttermilk, and cornmeal baked at high heat for a crispy crust. A no-sugar cornbread muffin with pops of sweet fresh corn in every bite.

Orange biscuits rolled jelly-roll style with butter, orange juice, and zest, then sliced into spirals and baked hot. The breakfast pinwheel that turns plain biscuit dough into citrus-perfumed swirls in 45 minutes.

Spells & Bells are festive Christmas cookies cut into holiday shapes and deep fried until golden and puffed, then served plain, sugared or glazed. A cream-rich fried dough that's crisp outside and tender within.

Dense, moist brown sugar pound cake baked low and slow in a tube pan with maple flavoring and chopped pecans. A full package of brown sugar gives this Southern-style cake its deep caramel richness.

A British-style no-bake fridge cake with two layers: dark chocolate on the bottom, white chocolate on top. Both packed with crushed biscuits, chopped dates, nuts, and cream. Chill, slice, and serve.

A lighter coleslaw with a tangy yogurt-mayo dressing, Dijon mustard, and white vinegar. Crunchy shredded cabbage, carrot, celery, and onion tossed together in 30 minutes. Keeps in the fridge for 2 days.

Oatmeal cookies with orange zest, walnuts, and yogurt for a lighter, citrusy twist. Chewy, nutty cookies with brown sugar and a hint of orange in every bite.

Halloween beef stew with orzo "maggots" kids love. Flour-coated stew beef browned with tomatoes, carrots, green beans, and thyme. Spooky fun, seriously good.

Toasted pearl barley pilaf simmered in chicken broth with fresh basil, green onions, and a pinch of nutmeg. A nutty, herbaceous whole grain side dish ready in one hour.

Orange Waldorf salad with fresh apples, toasted pecans, celery, and a light cinnamon-yogurt dressing. A no-cook, low-calorie twist on the classic that comes together in 10 minutes.

Ground beef packs with frozen corn, diced green chiles, shredded Monterey Jack, and picante sauce for a Southwestern-spiced meatloaf that's anything but boring. Black olives and cayenne kick up the heat.

Warm flour tortillas baked with fresh strawberries, bananas, and cinnamon brown sugar butter, then topped with vanilla sour cream whip. A fun 30-minute dessert the whole family will love.

Hearty German sour cream soup with bacon, cabbage, barley, rice, and vegetables in a tangy bechamel-enriched broth with caraway and vinegar. A cold-weather classic.