Golden Brown, Bubbly, & Slices Like a Dream If there’s one side dish that people are always excited to see at the table, it’s this one. A really good potato gratin has a little bit of everything: crisp, lacy, cheese-browned edges, a bronzed top that crackles under a spoon, and soft, custardy layers underneath that melt together without turning to mush. I have tested gratins in every which way and I gotta say, the key to giving it that je ne sais quoi, or little extra oomph, is Comté. It’s…
Continue ReadingMeltingly Tender Braised Leeks Vinaigrette with Grated Egg & Hazelnuts
Humble Leeks, All Dressed Up Leeks rarely get the spotlight. They’re usually playing backup in a soup or a braise, quietly doing the heavy lifting. But give them a gently braise in butter and thyme, and something wonderful happens: they turn silky, sweet, and so tender you can cut them with a fork. This is a great dish for someone who enjoys onions, but prefers a milder flavor. This is my take on poireaux vinaigrette, the leeks vinaigrette you’ll find on nearly every Parisian bistro menu. The warm leeks drink…
Continue ReadingBakery-Style Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Muffins (Tall, Domed Tops!)
My Favorite Fall Muffin with Melty Chocolate & Crackly Sugar Tops These homemade pumpkin muffins are my kids’ current after school snack obsession, and for good reason! They rise tall over the edge of the pan with crackly, sugar-crusted tops, and the inside is soft, moist, and tender. There’s also melty pools of chopped bittersweet chocolate. 😮💨 Like I said… a current family-favorite! They’re sweet enough to feel like a treat but not so sweet that they taste like cupcakes, so they also work for a grab-and-go breakfast. (These have…
Continue ReadingCozy Fall Soup Recipes to Make All Season Long
October is finally here which can only mean one thing: soup season! The minute the air turns crisp, my Dutch oven basically moves in on the stovetop. 🙌🏻 There’s nothing I’d rather make on a cool evening than a big pot of soup. It’s cozy, it feeds a crowd, and most of these taste even better the next day (plus, many freeze beautifully). This roundup pulls together my favorite fall soup recipes, organized by mood: vegetable-forward bowls that let seasonal produce shine, easy chicken soups for busy weeknights, a couple…
Continue ReadingPeak Fall Cooking: What I’m Making This October
The Cozy Recipes on Heavy Rotation This Month October is when fall cooking really hits its stride, and I am so here for it. The squash is everywhere, the braises come back out, and there’s almost always something simmering on the stove. It’s the coziest, most satisfying stretch of the year to be in the kitchen. This month’s lineup leans all the way in: creamy butternut squash risotto, hearty braises, a minty lamb ragù, a big pot of wild rice soup, a steakhouse-worthy steak for two, and a crunchy weeknight…
Continue ReadingSweet & Salty Roasted Carrot Salad with Castelvetrano Olives and Mint
Warm, Caramelized, & So Good: The Carrot Salad You’ll Make All Fall If your idea of a carrot side dish is soft, sweet, and a little one-note, this warm roasted carrot salad is here to change your mind. 😉 It’s the kind of easy-to-make, elevated side dish that looks like it came out of a restaurant kitchen, but it’s built on nothing more than a sheet pan, a jar of herby vinaigrette, and a handful of pantry-friendly toppings. The magic is all in the contrast. Roasting concentrates the carrots’ natural…
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