Gourmet
Ancho and Cocoa Carne Asada
The spice rub for this steak evokes the complex flavor of a rich Mexican mole sauce, but with almost no investment of time. It's great for a weeknight dinner party.
Panfried Smashed Potatoes
These are everything potatoes should be: crisp-skinned yet pillowy, sprinkled with a generous amount of salty parmesan. They require no laborious peeling and are much easier to prepare than french fries.
Garlicky Black-Pepper Shrimp and Black-Eyed Peas
This Lowcountry-style dinner—shrimp with saucy black-eyed peas and smoky bacon—is worthy of a glass of sweet tea.
Monte Cubano
This two-in-one indulgence has the irresistible makings of a Cuban sandwich, including Swiss cheese, pickles, and sliced meats—but its also dipped in egg batter and fried like a Monte Cristo.
Pork Cutlets with Smothered Parmesan Green Beans
Frozen frenched green beans don't need any washing or chopping, and when simmered with cream, white wine, and sage, they become a surprisingly indulgent accompaniment.
Provençal Chicken and Tomato Roast
Here, chicken thighs and drumsticks roast on one side of a sheet pan while, on the other, a trio of tomatoes (plum, grape, and sun-dried) intensifies in flavor along with crusty potato and briny olives.
Linguine With Rustic "Meatballs"
Here we combine some favorite flavors in an eclectic pasta dish. We don't think you'll mind the loose definition of meatball: Free-form versions are terrifically satisfying and don't require any shaping.
Roasted Orange Molasses Sweet Potatoes
No southern holiday meal would be complete without sweet potatoes, and this simple twist on old-fashioned candied yams, with the addition of molasses and an orange's juice and zest, tastes bright and full of nuance.
Dried-Cherry Scones
Butter and cream make these crumbly, tart-spiked treasures rich, moist, and tender.
Cactus, Chayote, and Green-Apple Salad
A bright citrus flavor and crunchy texture make this salad truly refreshing — a delicious balance of savory and sweet with the bonus of a little heat.
Beer-Braised Beef and Onions
Long, slow cooking turns a supermarket chuck roast into something gloriously tender, flavorful, and aromatic. Leftovers are delicious shredded, heated in the sauce, and served over egg noodles.
Tiny Dumplings with Dill
If you love gnocchi or spaetzle, youll love these tiny dumplings known as galushkas, buoyed here with fresh dill. They are a breeze to make and so comforting with the veal's creamy paprika sauce. Sauté any leftovers in butter until the edges are browned and crisp.
Farmhouse Butternut Squash Soup
Green apple and a dash of cider vinegar provide just the right amount of tart balance in this slightly sweet, down-home soup topped with homemade bacon bits.
Curried Squash and Lentil Soup
Sweet butternut squash teams up with earthy red lentils to make this simple and satisfying vegetarian dinner.
Tunisian Soup with Chard and Egg Noodles
The North African hot sauce called harissa lends this soup its beautiful brick-red color, as well as a deep, spicy warmth that isnt the least bit aggressive. For a supper thats both robust and rejuvenating, chard, chickpeas, and noodles go into the pot, too.
Tortilla Soup with Chiles and Tomatoes
Tortilla soup is all about contrasting textures, but its real success hinges on a fabulous broth—in this case, homemade chicken stock enriched with a cooked purée of chiles, tomatoes, onion, and garlic.
Crusty Cornstalk Rolls
The technique for shaping this sculptural loaf is very simple, but the result is dramatic. Once baked, the bread resembles a towering cornstalk, and each roll, or "ear of corn," is torn off the stalk by guests. But it's not just the presentation that makes these rolls worth the effort—they've got the hearty exterior of a French baguette, plus a yeasty, slightly chewy interior.
Rye Walnut Rolls
Walnuts are commonly paired with whole wheat, but something pretty great happens when you team them up with tangy rye and bits of sweet sautéed onion instead. A batch of these is especially tasty alongside a platter of your favorite cheeses.
Quick Gajar Halva
Gajar halva is a luxurious Indian dessert made from carrots slowly cooked down with sweetened milk and spices. This version is fast enough for weeknights and brings the warmth of the Indian sun to mind.