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33 easy and delicious recipes any man can make

Breakfast, mains, sides, and more. Simple recipes to whip up

Close-up of a man holding frying pan with fresh vegetables and a wooden spoon
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Being able to feed yourself is important, but being able to make a meal is impressive. Whether from an online recipe or a cookbook, these days, cooking has become a necessity and, like anything, the more you do it the better you become.

Whipping up a dish from scratch can sound daunting, and even with the help of a recipe app, it can take a lot of effort. However, once you get the hang of it, you’ll realize that it’s cheaper, healthier, and fun. From a simple savory breakfast to a sexy night in, give takeout a break and try one of these easy recipes every man should know how to make in their lifetime.

Breakfast

Frittata

Homemade spinach and feta fritatta in a skillet
Image used with permission by copyright holder

(From The Kitchn)

This Frittata is a simple way to step up your egg game and one of the easy breakfast recipes everyone loves.

Ingredients:

  • 6 large eggs, enough to cover the ingredients
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 4 slices thick-cut bacon (8 oz), chopped (optional)
  • 2 small Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 cups baby spinach (2 oz)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 cup shredded cheese, such as Gruyère, Fontina, or cheddar (optional)

Equipment:

  • 1 (10- to 12-inch) nonstick oven safe frying pan or cast-iron skillet
  • Spatula
  • Chef’s knife
  • Mandoline with hand guard (optional)
  • Whisk

Method:

  1. Heat the oven. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Whisk the eggs, heavy cream, and 1/2 tsp salt together in a small bowl; set aside.
  3. Cook the bacon. Place the bacon in a cold 10- to 12-inch nonstick oven-safe frying pan or cast-iron skillet, then turn the heat to medium-high. Cook the bacon, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate and pour off all but 2 tbsp of the fat. (If omitting the bacon, heat 2 tbsp oil in the skillet, then proceed with adding the potatoes).
  4. Saute the potatoes in bacon fat. Return the pan to medium heat, add the potatoes and sprinkle with the pepper and the remaining 1/2 tsp salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and lightly browned, 4 to 6 minutes.
  5. Wilt the spinach with garlic and thyme. Pile the spinach into the pan with the garlic and thyme, and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until spinach wilts. Add the bacon back to the pan and stir to evenly distribute.
  6. Add the cheese. Spread the vegetables into an even layer, flattening with a spatula. Sprinkle the cheese on top and let it just start to melt.
  7. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables and cheese. Tilt the pan to make sure the eggs settle evenly over all the vegetables. Cook for a minute or two until you see the eggs at the edges of the pan beginning to set.
  8. Bake the frittata for 8 to 10 minutes. Bake until the eggs are set, 8 to 10 minutes. To check, cut a small slit in the center of the frittata. If raw eggs run into the cut, bake for another few minutes; if the eggs are set, pull the frittata from the oven. For a browned, crispy top, run the frittata under the broiler for a minute or two at the end of cooking.
  9. Cool and serve. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then slice into wedges and serve.

French toast

French toast with strawberries and powdered sugar on a white plate
Image used with permission by copyright holder

(By Chrissy Teigen)

A breakfast that makes mornings worth getting out of bed for.

Ingredients

For the strawberry sauce:

  • 1 pound strawberries, ends trimmed, left whole (or halved if really big)
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
  • Pinch of fine sea salt

For the French toast:

  • 1 (1-pound) loaf challah
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 3/4 cups whole milk
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • Dash of grated nutmeg
  • Butter, for the skillet
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • Fresh mint and ground cinnamon for serving

Method:

  1. Make the strawberry sauce: Combine the berries, sugar, lemon juice, and salt in a saucepan and heat over medium heat until the berries begin to release their liquid and the liquid cooks and thicken, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the lemon zest, and cool to room temperature.
  2. Make the French toast: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the bread into 1½-inch thick slices. In an 8-inch square baking dish, whisk the eggs, milk, cream, vanilla, a few pinches of salt, and nutmeg.
  3. Dip each piece of bread in the egg mixture for 10 seconds per side if you want lighter, fluffier French toast, or 20 per side for denser creamier French toast. Put the slices of bread on a baking sheet to hold.
  4. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Grease the skillet generously with butter and add as many slices of bread as will fit comfortably in one layer. Cook until the bread is golden and toasty, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and keep warm, covered with foil, as you make more batches. Repeat with remaining bread, greasing the skillet again between batches.
  5. Arrange the finished French toast on a platter and dollop with sour cream. Pour the strawberry sauce on top, and garnish with mint and a sprinkle of cinnamon, if you like.

Huevos rancheros

Huevos rancheros on a tortilla, the traditional Mexican breakfast dish
Image used with permission by copyright holder

(From My Latina Table)

An impressive addition to your brunch menu.

Ingredients:

  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 corn tortillas
  • 1/4 onion, chopped
  • Refried beans, homemade or store-bought
  • 2 potatoes
  • Thick cut ham cut into cubes
  • Salsa, homemade or store-bought
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Queso Fresco and Cilantro to garnish

Method:

  1. Saute the potatoes, onion, and ham in a small amount of olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
  2. Lightly fry the tortillas, and pat dry. Put on a plate.
  3. Warm up the refried beans, and spread them onto the tortillas.
  4. Fry an egg to your preferred level of doneness, and put it on top of the tortilla and beans.
  5. Top with salsa, queso fresco, and fresh cilantro.
  6. Serve with the potato, onion, and ham mix.

Shakshuka

Breakfast shakshuka with tomato sauce and eggs and coffee
Image used with permission by copyright holder

(Shakshouka” from Zahav: A World of Israeli Cooking)

Crack a few eggs and crack open a whole new breakfast favorite.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 onions, chopped (about 3 cups)
  • 4 red or green bell peppers, chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons ground dried lime (optional)
  • 6 tablespoons sweet paprika
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 8 cups tomato puree
  • 1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 16 large eggs
  • Serrano chiles, thinly sliced
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped

Method:

  1. Heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil over medium in a cast-iron skillet large enough to accommodate 16 poached eggs. (If you don’t have a skillet that large, use two pans, dividing the ingredients evenly between them.) Add the onions, bell peppers, garlic, dried lime (if using), paprika, cumin, coriander, and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetable haven softened but not browned, about 10 minutes. Add the tomato puree and sugar and simmer until reduced by about one-third, 10 to 12 minutes. Whisk in the remaining ¼ cup oil.
  2. Crack the eggs into the skillet, spacing them evenly in the sauce. Lower the heat, cover, and cook until the egg whites are set but the yolks remain runny about 5 minutes. Top with serrano chiles and cilantro and serve immediately right from the pan.

Overnight oats

Banana flax seeds overnight oats with banana slices and almonds
Image used with permission by copyright holder

(From Jessica in the Kitchen)

The most effortless breakfast or dessert, so good you’ll almost forget it’s oatmeal.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1/2 cup gluten-free certified Old-Fashioned oats
  • 1 banana, sliced
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon coconut sugar
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter
  • Coconut flakes, chopped nuts, chia seeds (optional)

Method:

  1. Mix all the ingredients in a jar, except the bananas. Stir to combine and cover. You can add the bananas at the top or mix them in afterward.
  2. Place in the fridge overnight.
  3. The next morning, remove and eat in the jar or place in a pot over medium-high heat to reheat the oatmeal, or in the microwave to reheat in a microwave-safe jar for about 45 seconds. Top with your favorite toppings – walnuts, chia seeds, more peanut butter, and more coconut sugar (or anything else you want!).

Mains

Whole-roasted chicken

Roasted chicken on a cutting board at the table
Image used with permission by copyright holder

A roasted chicken is a simple dish that goes a long way.

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole chicken
  • 1 pound potatoes, cubed
  • 2 carrots, coined
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Place the diced vegetables in the bottom of a roasting pan. Toss with oil, salt, and pepper.
  3. Lay the chicken breast-side down and using kitchen shears (you can use a knife, but shears make the process much easier), cut the backbone out of the chicken. (You can save the backbone for making stock if you wish).
  4. Open the chicken up so that you can see the ribs and sternum. Take hold of the chicken and press down to break the sternum.
  5. Place the bird skin side up on top of the vegetables and season as desired. Place in oven, cooking for about 40 minutes, or until the temperature in the thigh reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  6. Let rest five minutes before serving.

Grilled steak

Large steak on an open grill
Image used with permission by copyright holder

(From Mastro’s)

There’s more to a great steak than just throwing it on the grill.

Ingredients:

  • 2 bone-in ribeye steaks, 22 oz each
  • 1 ounce butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon parsley, chopped
  • Steak rub of choice (Mastro’s uses a blend of fine sea salt, spices, starch, and papain extract)

Method:

  1. Remove the steaks from the refrigerator and let them rest at room temperature for 30-60 minutes. (Tip: since you want an evenly cooked steak, the closer you can get your steak to its final cooked temperature, the better.)
  2. Prepare a gas or charcoal grill (or preheat the broiler and position a rack 4 inches from the element). Lightly spray the grill rack with vegetable oil cooking spray. The coals should be medium-hot for the charcoal grill. The burners should be on high for the gas grill.
  3. Season the steaks by dredging them on both sides in the steak rub. Shake off the excess.
  4. If using a charcoal grill, cook on one side for 10 minutes. Turn using tongs and grill the other side for 10-12 minutes for medium-rare, or until the desired degree of doneness. If using a gas grill, grill for 7-8 minutes. Turn using tongs and grill the other side for 6-7 minutes for medium-rare, or until the desired degree of doneness. If using the broiler, broil 4 inches from the heat source for 8 minutes. Turn using tongs, and broil the other side for 6-7 minutes for medium-rare or until the desired degree of doneness.
  5. Remove the steaks from the heat and let sit for 8-10 minutes.
  6. To serve, slice the steaks into 3/4-inch-thick slices, place them on a hot plate, and drizzle with melted butter and fresh chopped parsley if desired.

Whole-roasted fish

A whole-roasted fish on a plate
David Fedulov / Unsplash

(From Food and Wine)

Teaching a man how to fish is pointless if he doesn’t know how to cook it (and clean it).

Ingredients:

  • 1 4-pound fish, such as red snapper or sea bass, cleaned and scaled
  • Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 8 parsley stems
  • 3 crushed garlic cloves
  • 6 halved lemon slices
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the fish stand at room temperature for 20 minutes.
  2. Set the fish in a large, shallow roasting pan. Brush all over with the oil and season generously inside and out with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with the parsley stems, garlic, and lemon. Add the wine to the pan.
  3. Roast the fish in the center of the oven for about 30 minutes, occasionally spooning the pan juices over the fish. The fish is done when the flesh is white throughout and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part near the head registers 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the fish stand for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer it to a large platter and spoon the pan juices on top.

Eggplant Parmesan

Eggplant Parmesan
Melanie Dompierre / Pexels

(From Bon Appétit)

Eggplants are amour.

Ingredients

For the marinara:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 head of garlic, cloves crushed
  • 1 large red onion, chopped
  • 3 oil-packed anchovy fillets (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • 2 28-ounce cans of whole peeled tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup torn basil leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Kosher salt

For the eggplant:

  • 4 pounds Italian eggplants (about 4 medium), peeled, sliced lengthwise ½–¾ inch thick
  • Kosher salt
  • 3 cups panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups finely grated Parmesan, divided
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 5 large eggs, beaten to blend
  • 1 1/3 cups olive oil
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped basil and parsley, plus basil leaves for serving
  • 6 ounces low-moisture mozzarella, grated (about 1⅓ cups)
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced

Method

For the marinara:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat oil in a large heavy ovenproof pot over medium. Cook garlic, stirring often, until golden, about 4 minutes. Add onion, anchovies (if using), and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook, stirring often, until slightly darkened, about 2 minutes. Add wine, bring to a boil, and cook until almost completely evaporated about 1 minute. Add tomatoes, breaking up with your hands, and their juices; add basil and oregano and stir to combine. Swirl 1½ cups water into one tomato can, then the other, to rinse, and add to pot; season with salt. Transfer pot to oven; roast sauce, stirring halfway through, until thick and tomatoes are browned on top and around edges of the pot, 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
  2. Let sauce cool slightly. Pass through the large holes of a food mill or process in a food processor until mostly smooth.
    Taste and season with salt.

For the eggplant and assembly:

  1. Lightly season eggplant slices all over with salt; place in a single layer on several layers of paper towels inside a rimmed baking sheet. Top with another layer of paper towels and more slices; repeat as needed. Top with a final layer of paper towels, then another rimmed baking sheet; weigh down with a heavy pot. Let the eggplant sit until it has released excess liquid, 45 to 60 minutes. This step gives the eggplant a creamy texture when baked.
  2. Meanwhile, pulse panko, oregano, pepper, and 3/4 cup Parmesan in a food processor until very finely ground. Transfer to a shallow bowl.
  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place oil in another shallow bowl and eggs in a third shallow bowl. Working one at a time, dredge eggplant slices in our, then dip in egg, allowing excess to drip off. Coat in breadcrumbs, packing all around, then shaking off excess. Place on wire racks.
  4. Heat 2/3 cup oil in a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high. Cook as many eggplant slices as will comfortably in the pan, turning once, until deep golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer to paper towels and immediately press with more paper towels to absorb oil. Working in batches, repeat with remaining slices, adding remaining ⅔ cup oil and wiping out skillet as needed. Let cool. Taste and season with more salt if needed.
  5. Toss chopped herbs, low-moisture mozzarella, and remaining 3/4 cup Parmesan in a medium bowl. Spread 1 cup sauce over the bottom of a 13-by-9-inch baking pan; top with a layer of eggplant slices (trim as needed). Drizzle 1 cup sauce over and sprinkle with 1/3 of cheese mixture. Add another layer of eggplant, followed by 1 cup sauce and half of the remaining cheese mixture. Repeat layers with remaining slices, sauce, and cheese mixture. Cover with foil and bake on a rimmed baking sheet until eggplant is custardy, 45 to 60 minutes.
  6. Remove from oven and arrange fresh mozzarella over eggplant. Increase oven temperature to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and bake, uncovered until cheese is bubbling and browned in spots, 15 to 20 minutes longer. Let rest for 30 minutes. Top with basil leaves just before slicing.
  7. Eggplant Parmesan can be made two days ahead. Let cool; cover with foil and chill. Reheat in a 350-degree oven, uncovering halfway through, until bubbling gently at edges.

Beef stew

Beef stew
Artur Kornakov / Unsplash

(By Judy Joo)

Nothing in this beef stew comes out of a can.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups red Burgundy wine
  • 1 cup roughly chopped white onion, peeled
  • 1 cup roughly chopped carrot, peeled
  • 3 large garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 sprigs of flat-leaf parsley
  • 4 sprigs thyme
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1/4 pound salt pork, diced
  • 1 pound mushrooms (cremini and button, mixed)
  • 8 ounces pearl onions
  • 20 baby carrots
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 3 pounds beef cheeks, cut into 1½-inch pieces
  • 50 mL brandy
  • 2 cups gelatin-rich beef stock (preferably homemade)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce
  • 1 pound oxtails
  • Finely chopped flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Add the wine, white onion, chopped carrot, garlic, bay leaf, parsley, and thyme to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes, or until reduced by half. Strain out the vegetables and discard, reserving the liquid.
  3. In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, drizzle in the olive oil and add the butter. Add the salt pork and fry until crispy and golden brown. Remove the pork with a slotted spoon and set it aside.
  4. Add mushrooms to the Dutch oven and cook until golden in color, then remove with the slotted spoon and set aside. Repeat with the pearl onions and baby carrots, adding more oil if necessary.
  5. Coat the beef cheek chunks in flour and season well with salt and pepper. Fry the cubes in batches until browned all over. Remove the beef with a slotted spoon and set it aside.
  6. Add brandy to the Dutch oven to deglaze, scraping the browned bits from the bottom. Add the red wine liquid reserved previously, along with the beef stock, soy sauce, fish sauce, and beef cheeks.
  7. Add the oxtails to the Dutch oven and simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours with the pot covered.
  8. When the beef is tender and soft, return the pearl onions, baby carrots, and mushrooms to the Dutch oven and place in the oven to braise for 30 to 45 minutes.
  9. Remove the Dutch oven from the oven and strip the meat from the oxtails, discarding the bones. Skim any excess fat from the surface of the stew.
  10. Add the salt pork and season to taste with salt and pepper.
  11. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve over mashed potatoes or egg noodles with a glass of Burgundy wine.

Baked salmon

Baked salmoon on a black plate
Caroline Attwood / Unsplash

(From Wildwood Grilling)

Meet your new favorite weeknight protein.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cedar grilling plank (make sure to get a large one that will fit a full fillet of salmon)
  • 1 1/2 pounds salmon
  • 2 tablespoons Italian parsley, fresh and chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chives, fresh and chopped
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • Salt and pepper (coarse)

Method:

  1. Soak the cedar plank in hot water for at least 15 minutes.
  2. Preheat oven or grill to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  3. Season salmon with salt, pepper and add herbs and lemon slices.
  4. Add plank to grill or oven and close lid.
  5. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until desired doneness.
  6. When done, remove from grill or oven and serve immediately with lemon.

Duck breast

Buck breast
Duckchar Duck Breast / Flickr

(By Hank Shaw)

Talk and eat big game with this classy poultry recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 4 duck breasts (breasts from two ducks)
  • Salt
  • 1 teaspoon duck fat or olive oil

Method:

  1. Take the meat from the fridge. If you are using a domestic duck or a very fat wild duck, score the skin (but not the meat) in a cross-hatch pattern, making the cross-hatches about 1/2 inch across; this helps the fat render and will give you crispier skin.
  2. Salt it well on both sides, then let it stand on a cutting board or some such for at least 15 minutes and up to 45 minutes for a goose breast. It is far easier to control the internal temperature with a room-temperature breast than an ice-cold one.
  3. Pat the duck breasts dry with paper towels. If you are cooking a domestic duck or a very fat wild duck, put 1 tsp of duck fat or cooking oil in a large pan; don’t use non-stick pans, as they don’t allow you to sear meat as well as steel or cast iron. Lay the breasts skin side down and use them to smear the fat all over the surface of the pan. Turn the heat to medium-high. Yes, you read that right: Don’t preheat the pan. You want as much fat to render out as possible, so start with a cool pan.
  4. If you are working with normal wild duck breasts, i.e., skinny ones, heat the pan over high heat for 1 minute, then add 2 tbsp of duck fat, butter or some other oil. Let this get hot, but do not let the fat smoke. Only then do you lay the duck breasts in the pan, skin side down.
    Either way, once the duck breasts start cooking, you will notice the “tails” of skin and fat from the head and the tail side of the fillet contract immediately. As the skin contracts, you will sometimes get a little oval patch on the tail end of the breast that curls up and doesn’t make contact with the pan. Use your tongs to press down on this part for 30 to 60 seconds. This gives you a more even sear.
  5.  Let the pan do its job. Cook at a jocular sizzle — not an inferno, not a gurgle. Think about how bacon sounds in the pan when you cook it, and you have the right idea. How long? It depends. I like my duck medium-to-medium-rare. To do this with small ducks like teal or ruddy ducks, you need only about 3 minutes on the skin side, and you might want to keep the heat higher. Medium-sized ducks like wigeon, gadwall, or wood ducks need 3 to 5 minutes. Mallards, pintail, canvasbacks, and domestic ducks need between 5 and 8 minutes.
  6. If you are cooking a goose breast, you will want the heat on medium-low and you’ll need to cook the skin side a solid 10 to 12 minutes. The key is to let the breast do most of its cooking on this side — it’s the flattest and will give you that fabulously crispy skin we all know and love.
    Again, I repeat: When you cook a duck breast, 3/4 of the total cooking time is on the skin side.
  7. Turn the breasts over. When? Follow the guidelines above, but also use your ears: You will hear the sizzle change; it will die down, just a bit. That’s when you turn. Now — this is important — lightly salt the now-exposed skin immediately. Doing this seems to absorb any extra oil and definitely gives you an even yummier, crispier skin.
  8. Let the ducks cook on the meat side for less time. I recommend 1 to 2 minutes for small ducks; 3 to 4 minutes for medium ducks; 4 to 6 minutes for large wild ducks and domestic duck; 5 to 7 minutes for geese.
  9. More than mere time, however, you need to just use The Force to know when your duck is ready. Not in tune with The Force? The next best thing is the finger test for doneness. Use this to determine when you’re almost ready. My advice is to go to the next step when your duck breasts are rare.
  10.  Now “kiss” the thick side of the breasts by standing two halves against each other. You will notice that duck and goose breasts plump up and contract as they cook. One side of the fillet will be wider than the other, and this side will need some heat. You can see the wider side in the picture. Just tip the breasts on their sides and cook for 30 to 90 seconds, just to get some good color.
  11. Take the duck off the heat and let it rest on a cutting board, skin side up. Teal need only need a minute or two rest, while big Canada geese might need 10 minutes. Everything else benefits from about a 5-minute rest. A duck breast is just like a steak: If you don’t rest it, the juices will run all over your cutting board — and not down your chin, where they should be.
  12. You can slice the breast from either end, either side up. You can get thinner slices by starting at the meat end, but you lose a little of the crispiness of the skin. If you are serving a whole breast, always serve it skin side up, with its sauce underneath.

Pizza

Fresh pizza ready to eat
Image used with permission by copyright holder

(From Tasty)

It’s not delivery and not DiGiorno, it’s just a few better ingredients to make a better pizza at home.

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups warm water
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 7 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup semolina flour

Optional toppings

For the tomato sauce:

  • 28-ounce canned whole tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt

For Margherita:

  • Tomato sauce
  • Fresh mozzarella cheese, torn into small pieces
  • Fresh basil leaf

For the pepperoni:

  • Tomato sauce
  • Fresh mozzarella cheese, torn into small pieces
  • Spicy pepperoni slice
  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese

Method:

  1. “Bloom” the yeast by sprinkling the sugar and yeast in the warm water. Let sit for 10 minutes, until bubbles form on the surface.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the middle and add the olive oil and bloomed yeast mixture. Using a spoon, mix until a shaggy dough begins to form.
  3. Once the flour is mostly hydrated, turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and knead for 10 to 15 minutes. The dough should be soft, smooth, and bouncy. Form the dough into a taut round.
  4. Grease a clean, large bowl with olive oil and place the dough inside, turning to coat with the oil. Cover with plastic wrap. Let rise for at least an hour, or up to 24 hours.
  5. Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead for another minute or so, then cut into 4 equal portions and shape into rounds.
  6. Lightly flour the dough, then cover with a kitchen towel and let rest for another 30 minutes to an hour while you prepare the sauce and any other ingredients.
  7. Preheat the oven as high as your oven will allow, between 450 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a pizza stone, heavy baking sheet (turn upside down so the surface is flat), or cast-iron skillet in the oven.
  8. Meanwhile, make the tomato sauce: Add the salt to the can of tomatoes and puree with an immersion blender, or transfer to a blender or food processor, and puree until smooth.
  9. Once the dough has rested, take a portion and start by poking the surface with your fingertips, until bubbles form and do not deflate.
  10.  Then, stretch and press the dough into a thin round. Make it thinner than you think it should be, as it will slightly shrink and puff up during baking.
  11. Sprinkle semolina onto an upside-down baking sheet and place the stretched crust onto it. Add the sauce and ingredients of your choice.
  12. Slide the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone or pan. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the crust and cheese are golden browns.
  13. Add any garnish of your preference.

Steamed mussels

Steamed mussels with fresh parsley
Image used with permission by copyright holder

(From lpfedme)

Steam your way to a succulent seafood dinner.

Ingredients:

  • 3-4 pounds mussels, cleaned
  • 1 pound clams, cleaned
  • 8 ounces chorizo sausage, casings removed and crumbled
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, diced
  • 4 sprigs of fresh thyme
  • 2 lemons, juiced
  • Sea salt

Method:

  1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  2. Add to the pan the shallots, garlic, chorizo stir occasionally, 6 minutes.
  3. Remove cooked chorizo and half of the garlic shallot mixture from the pot, set aside.
  4. Pour the broth into pot, bring to boil. Add mussels, clams, and lemon juice, cover, reduce heat, medium low.
  5. Steam shellfish, about 10 minutes. Gently rotate shellfish throughout until all have opened. (Discard any unopened ones.)
  6. Plate onto a large bowl and top with chorizo and remaining shallot garlic lemon pot juice and thyme and sea salt.

Big salad

Salad on big plate
Anna Pelzer / Unsplash

(From Vegetables Unleashed by José Andrés and Matt Goulding)

This is the iceberg that sunk the titanic.

Ingredients:

  • 4 medium beets, or 4 packaged cooked medium beets (1 lb), cut into .5-inch dice
  • 1 cup seaweed salad (from the sushi counter at a gourmet market or grocery store)
  • Furikake
  • 2 scallions, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
  • Cider-ginger marinade*

For the cider-ginger marinade:

  • 5 cups water
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • 1 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice
  • 1/2 cup diced sweet onion, such as Maui or Vidalia
  • 3 cups cooked white rice

Method

For the marinated beets:

  1. If using fresh beets, boil whole until fork tender, about 50 minutes. Drain and run under cold water. Use a paper towel to peel the beets, then cut into1/2-inch dice.
  2. Put the beets in a medium heatproof bowl. Combine the water, vinegar, and sugar in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring, to dissolve the sugar.
  3. Add the salt and peppercorns and bring to a boil. Strain the hot marinade over the beets and stir in the ginger. Let cool, then cover and refrigerate overnight.
  4. The next day, drain the beets and transfer to a bowl. (You can reserve the marinade to use again; store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.)
  5. Add the soy sauce and sesame oil to the beets and toss well.

For the rice bowls:

  1. Toss the diced carrots and sweet onion together in another bowl.
  2. Divide the beets, rice, seaweed salad, and carrot-onion mix among four shallow bowls, arranging them in separate piles so that the colors and textures really stand out.
  3. Sprinkle the rice with the furikake and sliced scallions and serve.

Carbonara

Carbonara in a white bowl
Izzy Boscawen / Unsplash

(From BBC Good Food)

It’s like bacon, egg, and cheese but as pasta.

Ingredients:

  • 100 grams pancetta
  • 50 grams pecorino cheese
  • 50 grams Parmesan
  • 3 large eggs
  • 350 grams spaghetti
  • 2 plump garlic cloves, peeled and left whole
  • 50 grams unsalted butter
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method:

  1. Put a large saucepan of water on to boil.
  2. Finely chop the 100 grams pancetta, having first removed any rind. Finely grate 50 grams pecorino cheese and 50 grams Parmesan and mix them together.
  3. Beat the 3 large eggs in a medium bowl and season with a little freshly grated black pepper. Set everything aside.
  4. Add 1 teasoon salt to the boiling water, add 350 grams spaghetti and when the water comes back to the boil, cook at a constant simmer, covered, for 10 minutes or until al dente (just cooked).
  5. Squash two peeled plump garlic cloves with the blade of a knife, just to bruise it.
  6. While the spaghetti is cooking, fry the pancetta with the garlic. Drop 50 grams unsalted butter into a large frying pan or wok and, as soon as the butter has melted, tip in the pancetta and garlic.
  7. Leave to cook on a medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the pancetta is golden and crisp. The garlic has now imparted its flavour, so take it out with a slotted spoon and discard.
  8. Keep the heat under the pancetta on low. When the pasta is ready, lift it from the water with a pasta fork or tongs and put it in the frying pan with the pancetta. Don’t worry if a little water drops in the pan as well (you want this to happen) and don’t throw the pasta water away yet.
  9. Mix most of the cheese in with the eggs, keeping a small handful back for sprinkling over later.
  10. Take the pan of spaghetti and pancetta off the heat. Now quickly pour in the eggs and cheese. Using the tongs or a long fork, lift up the spaghetti so it mixes easily with the egg mixture, which thickens but doesn’t scramble, and everything is coated.
  11. Add extra pasta cooking water to keep it saucy (several tbsp should do it). You don’t want it wet, just moist. Season with a little salt, if needed.
  12. Use a long-pronged fork to twist the pasta on the serving plate or bowl. Serve immediately with a little sprinkling of the remaining cheese and a grating of black pepper. If the dish does get a little dry before serving, splash in some more hot pasta water and the glossy sauciness will be revived.

Fancy ramen

Ramen with meat and veggies
Jie Wang / Unsplash

(By Chef Nick Sorrentino)

Take that Top Ramen to another level.

Ingredients:

  • 5 pounds fresh ramen noodles
  • 3 pounds pork shoulder (with bone if possible), cut into large pieces
  • 1 pound double-smoked slab bacon
  • 8 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 large Spanish onion, coarsely chopped
  • 1 leek, white and green parts halved lengthwise and coarsely chopped
  • 1 egg to garnish (optional)
  • 3 quarts rich roasted chicken stock
  • 6 ounces dried shiitake mushrooms
  • 4 ounces ginger, peeled and chopped
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • Soy sauce and sesame oil for seasoning
  • Kosher salt to taste

Method:

  1. Season and roast the pork shoulder, then place pork and slab bacon together in a large saucepot until golden brown.
  2. Remove the meat from the pan and place aside to drain.
  3. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger into the saucepot and saute slightly.
  4. Return the reserved meat to the pot.
  5. Add the chicken stock, chopped leek, and dried mushrooms.
  6. Bring to a full boil and lower heat to a simmer.
  7. Adjust seasoning with soy sauce.
  8. Allow to simmer and reduce for 4 hours.
  9. Drain the broth and return the broth to the stove.
  10. Lightly shred the pork and return the pork to the broth.
  11. Boil ramen noodles according to the packaging.
  12. Top the noodles with the broth.
  13. Garnish with sliced scallions, poached egg, and sesame oil.

Buffalo wings

Buffalo wings on a grill
Mike Norris / Unsplash

(From Partida Tequila)

You don’t have to wait for game day to get your wing on.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound chicken wings, cut into segments, tips removed and discarded
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon freshly cracked black pepper

For the tequila lime sauce:

  • 1/2 cup lime juice
  • 1/4 cup Partida Tequila (Blanco or Reposado)
  • 1 tablespoon agave syrup, sometimes called nectar (honey is a delightful alternative should no agave be on hand)
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon adobo sauce
  • 1/2 tablespoon freshly cracked pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Season the wings with salt and pepper and arrange on a baking sheet in a single layer. Cook until just brown and crisp, about 45 minutes.
  2. Make the sauce: Combine the lime zest and juice, tequila, agave syrup, cumin, adobo sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 tablespoon pepper in a bowl. Pour over the warm wings and let marinate at least 30 minutes. While wings are marinating, crank the oven up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
  3. Place marinated wings back on clean baking sheet in single layer and in the oven. After 10 minutes, flip all wings one time and place back in over for additional 5 to 10 minutes until wings are crisp and golden brown.
  4. Transfer any remaining marinade to a saucepan and cook until slightly thick, about 8 minutes. Drizzle the wings with the sauce and top with cilantro, if desired.​

Risotto

Risotto
Julien Pianetti / Unsplash

(By Amy Riolo)

Everyone needs a really nice rice recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 6 to 8 cups chicken stock, heated
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 1/2 cups Arborio rice
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 1/4 teaspoon saffron
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

Method:

  1. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. When butter foams, add onion, and cook on low until soft.
  2. Stir in Arborio rice and cook until coated with butter. Add the wine, stir, and increase the heat to high. Stir until the wine has evaporated. Stir in the saffron.
  3. Add a ladle full of stock and stir continuously from the outside to the inside of the pot, without lifting up the spoon. Cook until the stock has evaporated. Continue adding stock one ladle at a time, cooking and stirring over medium heat until most of stock is used and the rice has an “al dente” consistency.
  4. When the rice has reached an “al dente” consistency and there is still enough liquid in it to “move like a wave” when you shake the sides of the pot back and forth on the burner, remove from heat and stir in the Parmigiano Reggiano and the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Serve immediately.

Handmade pasta

Homemade pasta
Sara Scarpa / Unsplash

(By Chef Kyo Koo)

Homemade pasta is fast, easy, and extremely Italian.

Ingredients

For the tortellini dough:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon salt

For the pork and crab tortellini:

  • 6 ounces ground pork shoulder
  • 4 ounces Dungeness crab meat, picked and dried
  • 1 whole egg
  • 2 tablespoons finely minced scallions
  • 1 tablespoon finely minced chives
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated ginger
  • 1 tablespoon finely minced shallots
  • 1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons tamari soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoon potato starch

Method

For the tortellini dough:

  1. Combine egg and water in one mixing bowl. Whisk together lightly with fork.
  2. Sieve together flour and salt in a separate bowl. In two batches, add egg and water mixture to flour until combined. Knead by hand for 5 minutes until well combined and dough is smooth. Rest for 1 hour.
  3. Roll dough in two batches through pasta machine starting from “6” setting going gradually down to the “1” setting. Note: You can also use a rolling pin, though you’ll need to get the dough really flat. Pasta machines are easy to come by and affordable.
  4. Cut the dough into roughly 3-by-3-inch squares

For the pork and crab tortellini:

  1. To make filling, combine pork shoulder, crab meat, and egg, mix together gently.
  2. Add remaining ingredients and make sure filling is mixed evenly.
  3. Place a small amount of filling onto each dough square (it might take a few practice rounds to get the right amount).
  4. Gently fold the tortellini dough and filling, then fold the two sides back onto each other.
  5. Boil in salted water for 3-5 minutes, or to desired doneness.

Sides

Potato gratin

Potato gratin
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Because baked and mashed potatoes are boring.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
  • 5 cloves garlic, smashed with side of a knife
  • 1-2 sprigs rosemary
  • 2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 Idaho russet potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3/4-1 cup grated Gruyere
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Rub one clove of garlic split in half all over a 10-by-14-inch gratin dish. Let rest for 10 minutes. Butter gratin dish and place aside.
  3. Combine stock, heavy cream, garlic, rosemary, nutmeg, salt and pepper in a medium saucepan.
  4. Bring to a medium simmer, lower heat and continue to simmer for 30 to 45 minutes. Cook until thick and slightly reduced.
  5. Strain out garlic cloves and rosemary.
  6. Peel potatoes and cut into 1/8-inch slices.
  7. Arrange first layer of potatoes in the butttered pan, overlapping the potatoes a bit.
  8. Sprinkle the potatoes with 1/2 cup of the liquid and 2 tbsp of the grated cheese.
  9. Repeat with remaining potatoes and cream, about 4 layers.
  10. Add the remaining cheese after the final layer of potatoes.
  11. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 30 minutes, until top turns golden brown.
  12. Remove from oven, let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Ratatouille

Ratatouille
nelea33 / Shutterstock

(By Anthony Herve)

It’s never been easier to get your daily dose of vegetables with this ratatouille recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 2 onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 Roma tomatoes
  • 1 green zucchini
  • 1 yellow squash
  • 1 eggplant
  • Herbes de Provence, to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil, to taste
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Put the sliced onions in a pan and cook over medium heat with extra virgin olive oil, stirring occasionally until the onions are soft and nicely caramelized.
  3. While the onions are caramelizing, slice the tomatoes, zucchini, squash, and eggplant into 1/4-inch slices.
  4. When the onions are cooked, tightly layer the sliced vegetables over the caramelized onions in a baking or roasting pan.
  5. Generously season the ratatouille with herbes de Provence, salt, and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil.
  6. Put the ratatouille in the pre-heated oven and cook for 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft.

Homemade chips with guacamole and pico de gallo

Chips with guacamole and pico de gallo
Tim Toomey / Unsplash

For endless chips and dip.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ripe avocados
  • 2 tablespoons minced red onion
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4-1/2 beefsteak tomato, diced with seeds removed
  • 1/2 ounce Blanco tequila
  • 1/2 red chili pepper (or a habanero, if you want it really hot), seeds removed and minced (optional)

Method:

  1. Cut avocados in half longways and twist to separate. Take out the pit and scoop the meat into a bowl. (Tip: Score the avocado in a cross pattern with a knife to make this easier. Alternatively, you can invest in one of these avocado knives.)
  2. Add onion, lime juice, cilantro, salt, pepper, and tequila. Mix. If serving immediately, add tomatoes. If you are making the guacamole in advance, wait to add tomatoes until you are ready to serve — they will lose their flavor the longer they sit.
  3. For an added kick, add chili pepper.

Hummus

Hummus
Christopher Alvarenga / Unsplash

(From Avocado Obsession by Lauren Paige Richeson, Rockridge Press)

Cheaper and tastier than any hummus you’ll find in the store.

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium avocados, pitted and peeled
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced, divided
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

Method:

  1. In a blender or food processor, combine the avocados, chickpeas, garlic, about ¾ of the diced jalapenos, lime juice, cilantro, cumin, salt and pepper to taste, oil, and water. Blend until a smooth dip forms. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
  2. Transfer to a bowl and drizzle with more oil. Top with the remaining jalapeno, feta, if using, and sea salt. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days.

Caprese salad

Caprese salad with San Marzano tomatos and mozzarella
Image used with permission by copyright holder

(From Epicurious)

Just a few ingredients to make a stunning salad.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pint mixed cherry tomatoes, preferably heirloom, halved
  • 7 tablespoons (or more) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • Flaky sea salt
  • 2 pounds mixed medium and large tomatoes, preferably heirloom, cut into thin slices and/or wedges
  • 8 ounces buffalo mozzarella or mozzarella, room temperature, torn into pieces
  • Coarsely ground black pepper
  • Small basil leaves and toasted country bread (for serving)

Method:

  1. Toss cherry tomatoes with 1 tbsp oil in a small bowl; season with salt.
  2. Arrange tomato slices on a platter, slightly overlapping; season generously with salt. Arrange mozzarella over tomatoes; lightly season mozzarella with salt. Spoon cherry tomatoes over salad and drizzle with 6 tbsp oil; season with pepper. Let stand 30 minutes to let flavors meld and release juices from tomatoes and mozzarella.
  3. Top salad with basil and additional salt and oil, if desired. Serve with bread alongside.

Desserts

Banana bread

Banana bread
Whitney Wright / Unsplash

(From Simply Recipes)

If you haven’t learned how to make banana bread yet, then here you go.

Ingredients:

  • 2 to 3 very ripe bananas, peeled (about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups mashed)
  • 1/3 cup melted butter, unsalted or salted
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • 3/4 cup sugar (1/2 cup if you would like it less sweet, 1 cup if more sweet)
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and butter a

    4 x 8-inch loaf pan

    .
  2. In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until completely smooth. Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas.
  3. Mix in the baking soda and salt. Stir in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Mix in the flour.
  4. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
  5. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then remove the banana bread from the pan and let cool completely before serving. Slice and serve. (A bread knife helps to make slices that aren’t crumbly.)

Sorbet

Four bowls of sorbet
Michelle Tsang / Unsplash

(From All Recipes)

We all scream for sorbet.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ripe strawberries, hulled and chopped
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon cold water
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice

Method:

  1. Place berries in the work bowl of a food processor and puree until smooth. Combine berry puree, sugar, and salt in a large saucepan. Heat until melted and just simmering. Whisk cornstarch into the cold water; stir into heated berry mixture. Remove from heat, and stir in lemon juice. Cool slightly. Refrigerate berry mixture until cold, about 2 hours.
  2. Freeze in the ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. To freeze this sorbet without an ice cream maker; pour strawberry mixture into a shallow dish, place the dish in the freezer, stir occasionally until sorbet reaches desired consistency.

3-ingredient nut butter cookies

Nut butter cookies
Dor Farber / Unsplash

(From Tasty)

These cookies are almost too good to be true.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 egg

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, sugar, and egg.
  3. Scoop out a spoonful of dough and roll it into a ball. Place the cookie balls onto a nonstick baking sheet.
  4. For extra decoration and to make them cook more evenly, flatten the cookie balls by pressing a fork down on top of them, then press it down again at a 90-degree angle to make a criss-cross pattern.
  5. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the bottom of the cookies are golden brown.
  6. Remove from baking sheet and cool.

3-ingredient rocky road fudge

Rocky Road fudge
Insanely Good Recipes

This fudge is so easy to make that you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with more complicated dessert recipes.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chunky peanut butter (or smooth)
  • 4 cups miniature marshmallows

Method:

  1. Grease a 9-by-9-inch baking pan.
  2. In a medium saucepan, heat the chocolate chips and the peanut butter over low heat until the chips are completely melted. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
  3. Stir in the marshmallows.
  4. Pour the melted mixture into the baking pan. You can let the fudge cool on the counter or place it in the refrigerator to speed things up. You can also freeze the fudge overnight, which makes it easier to cut.
  5. Once cooled, cut, and enjoy.

Condiments

Pesto

Pesto in a jar
Caroline Attwood / Unsplash

(From Anthony Spino, chef/caterer, HUNGRY)

You’ll be putting this pesto on everything.

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces dry whole-grain pasta
  • 1 1/2 cups basil
  • 4 1/2 cups spinach
  • 1 1/2 cups walnuts (can use toasted pumpkin seeds for nut-free option)
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 3/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons white miso
  • 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons salt
  • 1 1/4 cups kale chopped
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes cut in quarters
  • 1 avocado, chopped
  • 1/2 red onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cucumber, chopped
  • 1/4 cup black olives, sliced

Method:

  1. Cook pasta according to the package and save 3/4 cup of pasta water.
  2. Add basil, spinach, walnuts, garlic, miso, nutritional yeast, black pepper, salt, and water from pasta into a powerful blender (Spino uses a Vitamix) or food processor. Pulse a few times to break down the spinach and basil. Continue to pulse, while slowly adding olive oil to the mixture, until it becomes a smooth paste.
  3. Add pasta, pesto and all other ingredients into a large bowl and mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Use extra basil for garnish.

Broth and stock

Broth
Bluebird Provisions / Unsplash

(From Taste of Home)

Make it and drink it often.

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 pounds bony chicken pieces (legs, wings, necks or backbones)
  • 2 celery ribs with leaves, cut into chunks
  • 2 medium carrots, cut into chunks
  • 2 medium onions, quartered
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 8 to 10 whole peppercorns
  • 2 quarts cold water

Method:

  1. Place all ingredients in a soup kettle or Dutch oven. Slowly bring to a boil; reduce heat until mixture is just at a simmer. Simmer, uncovered, for 3 to 4 hours, skimming foam as necessary.
  2. Set chicken aside until cool enough to handle. Remove meat from bones. Discard bones; save meat for another use. Strain broth, discarding vegetables and seasonings. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Skim fat from surface.

Salad dressing

Salad dressings
Image used with permission by copyright holder

(From Wholefully)

You’ve evolved past the need for just ranch dressing.

Ingredients

For the Italian salad dressing:

  • 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons finely grated parmesan
  • 1 tablespoon fresh minced parsley or 2 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/4 medium onion, diced (about 2 tablespoons) or 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh minced basil or 2 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh minced oregano or 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 clove garlic, finely minced, or 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Method:

  • Combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid, shake until well combined. Alternatively, for thicker dressings like the ranch or Italian, you can combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and pulse until well combined and smooth.
  • Refrigerate and let flavors blend for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2 hours, before serving.

Aioli

Classic aioli with lemon, fresh garlic and eggs
Image used with permission by copyright holder

(By Chef Alvin)

It’s mayo but sexier.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons dill pickle juice

Method:

  1. Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and stir.

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Lauren Paige Richeson
Lauren Paige Richeson is an author and artist specializing in written, visual, and edible content. She wrote about Food…
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