Lazy Girl Wontons For When You’re Lacking Patience If you’ve ever ordered wontons at your favorite Chinese restaurant and thought, how do they get them this juicy and flavorful?—this is your answer. These homemade pork and shrimp wontons are everything you want: tender, plump dumplings with a silky wrapper, a deeply savory filling, and a bold, aromatic chili oil that sizzles as it hits the bowl. They’re rich, slightly bouncy, and packed with umami. They feel restaurant-worthy, but are surprisingly simple to make at home (aka: my specialty here at…
Continue ReadingPerfectly Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
Bakery-Style Peanut Butter Cookies At Home Is there anything more nostalgic than homemade peanut butter cookies with those iconic crosshatch fork marks? Think crisp, golden edges with soft, chewy centers that stay tender for days. Their amazing texture? It’s thanks to using a combination of brown and white sugar, as well as an extra egg yolk. Total perfection! 🙌🏻 This is the peanut butter cookie recipe you turn to when you want reliably foolproof results. I’m solidly on team creamy peanut butter when it comes to cookies, but feel free…
Continue ReadingFresh Spring Cooking: What I’m Making This April
Cooking Seasonally: Bright, Herb-Forward Meals By April, I’m ready for my cooking to feel greener, brighter, and a little lighter. Lemon, herbs, seafood, and simple grilled dishes start making their way back into the rotation, even if the weather hasn’t fully made up its mind yet. These are the recipes I’ll be leaning on all month long—fresh spring meals that still feel satisfying enough for unpredictable April nights. ↓ Tell me this salmon Nicoise doesn’t absolutely scream spring! It’s made better by my homemade basil vinaigrette, which really makes everything…
Continue ReadingRich, Smoky Leftover Brisket Chili with Beans
My Favorite Use For Leftover Brisket, Hands Down If you struggle to get through leftovers like me and enjoy transforming them into something entirely new, get excited because this homemade brisket chili is even better than the original. It starts with a classic slow-braised beef brisket (I make mine with loads of onions, leeks, and shallots). You’ll chop up the leftovers, then add to a bold, tomato-based broth layered with warm spices. Unlike traditional ground beef chili, brisket chili has a more luxurious texture and depth of flavor. Honestly, it…
Continue ReadingBrothy Portuguese Fish Stew with Smoky Chorizo
When I Tried This In Portugal, I Immediately Fell In Love If you’re looking for a deeply flavorful, rustic (yet elegant!) seafood dish, this Portuguese fish stew is an absolute stunner. I tried it for the first time several years ago when John and I took the kids to Portugal for a summer vacation. (Side note: I’ve never been to a more kid-friendly country!) It’s brothy, aromatic, and layered with smoky chorizo, tender potatoes, saffron, tomatoes, and delicately poached fish. I’ve got tons of flavorful homemade soup recipes, but this…
Continue ReadingCrisp Butter Lettuce Salad with Parmesan and Pangrattato
My Go-To Restaurant-Worthy Side Salad That Doesn’t Feel Like An Afterthought If you’re looking for a salad that feels simple yet restaurant-worthy, this Romaine and butter lettuce salad with Parmesan and pangrattato is it. Tender, delicate lettuce leaves are tossed with my bright, citrusy lemon vinaigrette, but it’s the crispy, cheesy breadcrumbs that completely transform the dish. Think of pangrattato as Italian-style toasted breadcrumbs—sometimes called “poor man’s Parmesan”—which add a deeply savory crunch to everything from pasta to vegetables and salads. Why the mix of lettuces? Romain provides a really…
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