Every now and then, an ingredient shows up in my kitchen without much of a plan attached. This time, it was about 2½ pounds of yellow tomatoes, handed to me by a friend who seems to have a near-endless supply on her farm. They were…
Authentic Italian marinara sauce is proof that great cooking doesn’t have to be complicated. Made with just a handful of ingredients—tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, fresh basil, and salt—this classic southern Italian sauce relies on quality ingredients and restraint rather than a long list of seasonings.…
Crispy, blistered, and cooked in a cast iron skillet with just enough olive oil to lightly fry the crust, this cast iron flatbread pizza has the kind of texture that makes delivery pizza hard to go back to. There was a time when I could…
Forget the soggy tortilla bowl. This reimagined taco salad is layered with warm black beans, homemade Mexican rice, grilled skirt steak, crisp iceberg lettuce, fresh toppings, and homemade tortilla strips that stay crunchy until the last bite. I like taco salad. I’ve just never liked…
Peach Cobbler with Browned Butter begins with ripe summer peaches and builds on them with browned butter, a crisp-yet-tender topping, and just a splash of bourbon. The result is a peach cobbler that’s familiar, comforting, and just a little more refined than the one you…
Not every great recipe needs a long ingredient list. This rustic potato salad relies on a handful of familiar ingredients, a few thoughtful techniques, and the kind of homemade character that keeps people coming back for another spoonful. The best recipes don’t always come from…
Cast iron cookware has been helping cooks turn out memorable meals for generations. Despite what you’ve heard, caring for it is surprisingly simple. From cleaning and seasoning to cooking and everyday care, here’s what actually matters—and what doesn’t.
I never knew roasted jalapeños could taste like that. These Polish dogs were born from that discovery, pairing charred Polish sausage, creamy coleslaw, and stone-ground mustard with roasted jalapeños that are milder and far more flavorful than most people expect. My production schedule for this…
This macaroni salad with cheese and eggs combines tender pasta, crisp celery, sharp cheddar cheese, and hard-boiled eggs in a creamy dressing that’s perfect for cookouts, picnics, and family gatherings. Macaroni salad has been a fixture at summer cookouts, backyard barbecues, and family gatherings for…
I’ve got a rib post in the works, and there’s only one sauce allowed on my BBQ ribs. This Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce is it. I think you’ll understand why after the first bite. My mom started making a variation of this Kansas City…
Cast iron cookware has been helping cooks turn out memorable meals for generations. Despite what you’ve heard, caring for it is surprisingly simple. From cleaning and seasoning to cooking and everyday care, here’s what actually matters—and what doesn’t.
Most crepe recipes tell you what ingredients to use. Fewer explain the small decisions that actually make crepes delicate, buttery, and supple instead of thick, rubbery, or dry. These Classic French Crepes are simple by design—but like many simple things, they reward attention to the…
A complete guide—how to caramelize onions—with butter, managing fond, and building deep, balanced flavor—without pushing them into bitterness. When I was first married, we had my mom over for dinner one night. It was the first time I had cooked for her at my house—on…
There was a time, early in my cooking life, when I believed a simple truth that turned out not to be true at all: A potato is a potato. They were oblong. Some were different colors. They came in a bag. You peeled them, cooked…
The Two Pans Every Cook Eventually Meets Spend enough time in the kitchen, and a simple truth reveals itself: No single pan does everything perfectly. And yet, two materials come remarkably close. The ongoing cast-iron vs. stainless steel debate brings together pans that feel, weigh,…