Magic Mac and Cheese is a no-boil, no-roux, and no-nonsense recipe for the richest and most flavorful baked mac of your life. While its flavor is deliciously complex, its foolproof method is (truly) simple to cook and customize. Consider this my Mac N Cheese Manifesto. This spring I set out to create the easiest, cheesiest,...
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Grilled Camembert with Balsamic Macerated Berries
Ready to serve in a few simple steps, Grilled Camembert with Balsamic Macerated Berries is a foolproof dish that will have you seeing stars (and stripes.) With Memorial Day Weekend here (yay!) and Fourth of July lurking around the corner, my Pinterest feed is looking like Captain America's catering business. There are endless amounts of...
Baked Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese Bites
I just pulled (what I'm pretty sure is) my first all-nighter since college to get this post to you today, and I've gotta say, I'm pumped about it. The recipe required a lot of tweaking and testing throughout the week, as well as a lot of blood, sweat, and tears as I've tried to figure out why my computer and...
Classic Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
If anyone were ever to call me a recipe purist, they'd be wildly mistaken. I like my foods fusion-ified. I like them loaded with crazy amounts of fillings and toppings, and authenticity always follows far behind enjoyability when it comes to my meals. I do not have a Plain Jane appetite, to say the least....
Three Cheese Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese
I'm sad to say that there was a point in my life when I hated Mac n' Cheese. Doesn't that make you sad for my childhood? Oh, the wasted years! For much of my life, I didn't realize that there was anything else out there other than the watery, powder-made instant cheese sauce from a box. No...
How to Make Crostini and Bruschetta Toast
Crostini and Bruschetta Toast are simple and delicious appetizers featuring a crunchy bread base that becomes the perfect canvas for an array of flavorful toppings. They're also a fantastic way to breathe new life into stale baguettes, transforming them into crowd-pleasing crispy treats for any occasion. Once you discover how easy they are to prepare...
Honey-Whipped Feta Dip
Sweet, salty, and cloud-like, this creamy Honey-Whipped Feta Dip is almost unbelievably good-- especially considering it only takes 5 minutes to make. Serve it as an appetizer at your next party or holiday get-together, or whip up a batch for yourself to spread on toasted bread or fresh pita. I’ve been making Whipped Feta Dip...
How to Cut a Pomegranate - The Easiest Method
Learn how to cut and deseed a pomegranate with no stress or mess. It only takes one time to become a pomegranate cutting pro with this no-fail method! Pomegranates are pretty high up in my "favorite fruits" lineup. They're sweet, tart, versatile, fun to eat... and often a bit of a disaster, if we're being...
Easy Candied Pecans (10-Minute Stovetop Recipe)
It takes less than 10 minutes to make delicious candied pecans thanks to a simple stovetop shortcut. Use this versatile glazed pecan recipe in salads, cheese boards, baked goods, and more. CANDIED PECANS IN JUST 10 MINUTES The simplest tip I have for making everything taste better - especially throughout the holiday season - is...
Easy Roasted Tomato Soup
This is the best homemade tomato soup I've ever had, and it really couldn't be easier. Made with fresh tomatoes, garlic, onions, and herbs, this simple recipe will change the way you think about tomato soup forever. ROASTED TOMATO SOUP (FOR THE SOUL) As someone who really isn't the biggest fan of tomatoes to...
Asian Smashed Cucumber Salad
Cool cucumbers, hot chili flakes, and a generous amount of garlic are just a few of the ingredients that make this flavor-forward, Asian-style cucumber salad so good. It's the perfect refreshing side dish, meal prep salad, or big-hit potluck contribution. Now that I've harvested the last of this year's cucumber bounty, I have to answer...
Foolproof Ricotta Gnocchi (Gnudi)
Did you know that you can make tender, restaurant-quality gnocchi at home in less time than it'd take for takeout to arrive? It's almost unbelievable that something as tasty and impressive as this ricotta gnocchi recipe could be so easy to make from scratch, but the ricotta base makes it foolproof, even for novice cooks....
Pretzel Crusted Chicken with Honey Mustard Sauce
Pretzel crumbs are the key to crispy, crunchy chicken cutlets that everyone will love. The homemade honey mustard sauce makes this Pretzel Crusted Chicken recipe even tastier. If breaded chicken cutlets didn't already resemble grown-up chicken nuggets enough, a big bag of Rold Golds is here to double-down on your childhood dinner fantasies. I'm talking...
Homemade Pita Chips
Learn how to make pita chips that crisp, golden brown, and delicious! These baked pita chips make tasty snacks on their own, or are fantastic for dunking in dips like hummus. I'll teach you how to make 4 varieties: Sea Salt, Garlic & Herb, Za'atar Seasoned, and Cinnamon Sugar! QUICK, EASY & DELICIOUS HOMEMADE PITA...
Lemony Orzo Pasta Salad
This Lemony Orzo Pasta Salad features fresh and tangy ingredients inspired by Mediterranean flavors. Feta cheese, briny kalamata olives, cucumbers, chickpeas, and more are tossed with a bright lemon vinaigrette that packs in some major deliciousness. Eat your orzo salad as-is for a satisfying side dish, or add grilled chicken for a complete meal in...
Pasta e Ceci (One Pot Pasta and Chickpeas)
Pasta e Ceci is a one-pot pasta recipe that's just as remarkably easy as it is iconic. "Pasta e Ceci" is Italian for pasta and chickpeas, and that's exactly what you get here. Well, that and a garlic and chili flake spiked tomato broth, a generous drizzle of olive oil, and --if you're feeling daring--...
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
This slow cooker pulled pork recipe is extremely easy to make, but yields fall-apart tender, flavorful bbq pulled pork. It’s perfect for a stress-free dinner, or for serving at a party. (Who can complain when pulled pork sandwiches and pulled pork nachos are on the menu?) I’m not a food snob. I eat freezer meals...
Garlic & Herb Marinated Chicken Spiedies
These Garlic & Herb Marinated Chicken Spiedies aren't just your run-of-the-mill chicken skewers-- they're a Central NY specialty that deserves some worldwide recognition. Chunks of chicken breast are marinated for at least 12 hours in a tangy, herb-spiked marinade and then grilled before being served on soft Italian bread with a generous drizzle of garlic...
Syracuse Salt Potatoes
These 4-ingredient Syracuse Salt Potatoes are a classic Central NY dish. Thin salt crusts, almost impossibly tender centers, and a drizzle of melted butter make them just as irresistible as they are easy to prepare. Every year until I was 15, my entire extended family traveled to Syracuse, New York to celebrate my great-grandfather’s birthday....
Warm Chorizo Potato Salad
With a whisper of smoke and spice, Warm Chorizo Potato Salad is a Mexican-inspired spin on the German classic. Served with soft-boiled eggs and a chorizo vinaigrette, this mayo-free mash-up is best served warm. Â Â Â WARM CHORIZO POTATO SALAD When most people hear "potato salad", they think of the American picnic classic. You know, potatoes,...
Soft and Chewy Lemon Sugar Cookies
I'm a firm believer that the best cookies are anything but firm. A soft, big, buttery, chewy cookie is the key to my heart, and these Soft and Chewy Lemon Sugar Cookies absolutely fit the bill. They're made from scratch and bursting with tart lemony flavor from both lemon zest and real lemon juice! As tends...
Strawberry Champagne Trifles with Champagne "Caviar"
Strawberry Champagne Trifles with Champagne "Caviar". These layered desserts feature strawberry jam, crushed ladyfingers, champagne-soaked strawberries, an easy mascarpone cream, and gelatin strawberry-champagne spheres that are just as fun to make as they are to eat. All together, the trifles make for the perfect New Years Eve or Valentines' Day dessert. We're a few days...
The Great Kitchen Kapers Holiday Gift Guide and GIVEAWAY 2018
We've made our list and checked it twice: Check out our round-up of the best kitchen gifts for everyone (and we do mean everyone) on your list, whatever your budget. Don't tell anyone, but I haven't bought any Christmas presents yet. I can't believe we're already through week one of December and quickly moving on to...
Juicy Cider and Sage Glazed Turkey with Gravy
Juicy Cider and Sage Glazed Turkey with Gravy. Dry-brined and brushed with a buttery apple cider mixture, this turkey has crisp browned skin and moist, delicious meat. Every year, I do at least three Thanksgiving celebrations. I spend the actual day with James' family, I go to my grandma's house for a Thanksgiving get-together the...
The Best Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Bacon
The Best Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Bacon. This cornbread stuffing (AKA cornbread dressing) pulls out all the stops. Sweet cornbread, salty bacon AND sausage, tons of herbs and aromatics, and crunchy toasted pecans make this stuffing the most popular side dish on your Thanksgiving table. It's about time that we all start ironing out...
Antipasto Tortellini Pasta Salad
Everyone goes crazy over this Antipasto Tortellini Pasta Salad! It's a flavor-packed potluck favorite, and leagues better than anything you can get from the grocery store. This loaded pasta salad recipe features multiple cheeses, meats, olives, peppers, and more to create a hearty summer side dish. It'll definitely become your go-to pasta salad!  I've spent...
Grilled Potato Wedge Fries with Roasted Garlic Aioli
Grilled Potato Wedge Fries with Roasted Garlic Aioli. No burger is complete without a side of fries, so whip these easy grilled, seasoned wedges up for your next barbecue. The aioli, made from grill-roasted garlic, is just as addictive as the fries! The first time I made grilled fries for the blog, just over 5...
Grilled Peach and Halloumi Panzanella
Grilled Peach and Halloumi Panzanella. This summer salad includes a mix of quickly grilled peaches, halloumi cheese, and ciabatta bread croutons that are tossed with fresh basil, red onions, and a simple white balsamic vinaigrette. It looks and tastes fancy, but it only takes less than a half-hour to prepare! I placed this platter on...
Southwestern Zucchini and Corn Bites with Avocado Ranch
Southwestern Zucchini and Corn Bites with Avocado Ranch. No need to break out the fryer for this recipe-- these bite-sized, veggie-loaded treats are baked until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Have you ever been typing away at your computer, noticed a deep and urgent rumble in your stomach, and instantly knew, "I...
Spiked Fruit Straws
Spiked Fruit Straws. Flavor in the cocktail, meet flavor in the straw. Fresh fruit makes for a delicious and useful garnish! They say that to come up with a great invention, you need to first identify a problem that needs solving. The same can be said for great recipes, or at least I tend to...
Jalapeño Popper Pretzel Bites
Making pretzels from scratch is a little intimidating and labor intensive, I know, I know. I've got about a billion recipes on here that ask you to do all of that yeast and kneading and rolling business... but this isn't one of them. These Jalapeño Popper Pretzel Bites might seem complicated (they are two appetizers in...
Pumpkin Crumb Muffins with Cream Cheese Glaze
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. I’m entirely aware that it’s usually not a good thing to say that your breakfast was inspired by your dog’s food. But just hear me out for a second here. My girl Roux is a super-spoiled pup-- she...
Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Beer Bratwurst
This post is sponsored by Smithfield, who noticed my ongoing brat-obsession and decided to help make these bacony bratwursts possible. I wasn’t sure if I should post this recipe or destroy it immediately, because I’ve gotta be honest, it’s going to ruin run-of-the-mill grilled sausage for you. Once you’ve had Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Beer Bratwurst you can...
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Basil Bean Dip
It used to be that if you said the words "bean dip" to me, my mind would immediately go to Mexican-spiced refried beans, all warmed up so that the cheese is perfectly melted and oozy over chips. But now that-- as Nelly would so eloquently say-- it's getting hot in here, the idea of keeping dips warm for a...
Slow Cooker Spicy Shredded Mexican Chicken
This month is like an experiment in how many lazy dinners I can make. And how many days in a row I can use my slow cooker before actually putting it back into the cabinet. And how many tacos I can stomach. Especially that last one. I bought a jumbo-sized package of tortillas at the wholesale...
Crispy Chicken Tacos with Avocado Buttermilk Ranch
I'm not sure of the technical way to measure the greatness of a meal (if such a thing exists), but I want to say that it's probably "how likely would it be that I'd happily-- maybe even eagerly-- eat this on an already painfully full stomach?" Because you know what? I spent this weekend raiding...
Mushroom Carnitas Tacos
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #VivaLaMorena​ #CollectiveBias Ah, Lent. The time of year when, on top of the normal "what should we have for dinner" daily conundrum, many people also have to consider what indulgence they've given up for 40 days, and what...
Garlic Knot Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches
Did I ever tell you about the time that I wound up with 13 pounds of garlic knots tossed in bowls that were strewn across my kitchen, with flour and oil and garlic skins littering any potential open counter space? Oh, well that's probably because it just happened. It was an interesting way to spend Valentine's...
Matcha Christmas Wreath Pavlova
This post is sponsored by Aiya America, who likes to encourage my love of seasonal baked goods. Because come on, with all of the grinchy, piney, mistletoey color around this time of the year, who wouldn't love a little green in their Christmas dessert? This winter, can we take some time to celebrate the fact...
Rum-Caramelized Banana Berry Nut Crumble
As someone who dislikes both bananas and berries, the fact that this recipe exists on this blog is practically a pre-Christmas miracle. Fruity desserts aren't typically my jam-- Get it? Jam? ...Sorry -- but I had to step outside of my chocolate-covered comfort zone last week. You see, my brother, the king of clean eating,...