• Brown Sugar Bumps

    March 19, 2024Rob

    Recipe from the book, “Pickle in the Middle and other easy snacks” by Frances Zweifel. A Weekly Reader book printed in 1979. This recipe was made many times by Anna’s mom, Joan, when Anna was growing up and was a family favorite.              

    See the Recipe
  • Easy Homemade Tortillas

    March 4, 2024Rob

    Recipe I found on TikTok. I made them and they’re a quick and easy way to make delicious tortillas.

    See the Recipe
  • Dad’s Cowboy Cookies

    February 3, 2023Rob

    Recipe my father sent in his 2022 Christmas letter to me along with a note that said, “Here’s a great cookie recipe to try :)”.

    See the Recipe
  • Easy Lemon Curd

    May 15, 2021Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Rob’s Italian Hot Chocolate

    November 9, 2020Rob

    This is my own recipe for Italian hot chocolate. I took elements from several other recipes and tweaked them until they produced the best cup of Italian hot chocolate for my tastes, with just the right amount of thickness and sweetness. A few online recipes I used as reference are: https://www.fattoincasadabenedetta.it/ricetta/ricetta-cioccolata-calda-tante-idee-servirla/ http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/ciobar-thick-hot-chocolate-374459 https://www.lacucinaitaliana.com/italian-food/hacks/how-to-make-the-perfect-hot-chocolate

    See the Recipe
  • Copycat Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookies

    November 3, 2020Rob

    Recipe recommended by Emma as the best chocolate chip cookie recipe she’s found. Emma says they don’t use cake flour, instead just use all all-purpose flour and it turns out great.

    See the Recipe
  • Ken Forkish’s Smooth Pizza Sauce

    August 9, 2020Rob

    Ken states, “This is a smooth tomato sauce flavored with dried oregano, along with optional garlic and chile flakes. Use the best-quality dried oregano you can get; if you can find Calabrian oregano, all the better. Although including chile flakes isn’t traditional for Neapolitan pizza, I like the zip. If you can’t find San Marzano tomatoes, use the best-quality canned plum tomatoes available.” Makes enough sauce for five 12-inch round pizzas.

    See the Recipe
  • Rob’s Homemade Pasta

    August 9, 2020Rob

    This is my personal recipe for pasta with a flour to liquid ratio (100/65) that generally produces the best results in the dry, Southern California climate. The amounts listed below are for a single serving.

    See the Recipe
  • Sabrina’s Dinner Salad

    August 1, 2020Rob

    Custom salad using Sabrina’s favorite ingredients from other salads.

    See the Recipe
  • Greek Salad

    June 6, 2020Rob

    Recipe from Natasha’s Kitchen which states, “Fresh Greek Salad is a must-try and one of the healthiest salad recipes! It comes together fast and is loaded with cucumber, tomato, and avocado, with tangy bites of olives and feta cheese. You will fall in love with the homemade Greek salad dressing.”

    See the Recipe
  • Salmon Cobb Salad

    June 6, 2020Rob

    Recipe from Natasha’s Kitchen which states, “Salmon Cobb Salad is a modern spin on the classic American Cobb salad. We swapped chicken for salmon which pairs so well with the cilantro lime dressing. This cobb salad recipe is fresh, healthy, and gets RAVE REVIEWS!”

    See the Recipe
  • Olivia’s Brown Butter Cookies

    May 14, 2020Rob
    See the Recipe
  • New York Style Pizza Dough (Cold Rise)

    April 15, 2020Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Chopped Dinner Salad with Crispy Chickpeas

    April 10, 2020Rob

    Bon Appetit recipe from Claire Saffitz who states, “This salad is a real winner, but the combo of crunchy veg + lettuce + creamy cheese + pulled protein + crispy topping is universally delicious—make it your own by swapping in whatever odds and ends you have lying around. And that all-purpose vinaigrette is delicious on pretty much any salad, be it the main event or a simple side dish.”

    See the Recipe
  • Roasted Salmon Glazed With Brown Sugar and Mustard

    March 29, 2020Rob

    NY Times recipe from Sam Sifton who states, “This is what we call around here a no-recipe recipe, the sort of meal you can cook once off a card and you’ll know it by heart: salmon glazed with brown sugar and mustard. The preparation could not be simpler. Heat your oven to 400. Make a mixture of Dijon mustard and brown sugar to the degree of spicy-sweetness that pleases you. Salt and pepper the salmon fillets. Place them skin-side down on a lightly oiled, foil-lined baking sheet, slather the tops with the mustard and brown sugar glaze and slide them…

    See the Recipe
  • Quick and Easy Flatbreads

    March 21, 2020Rob

    Recipe from King Arthur Flour which states, “With the help of a little baking powder, these yeasted flatbreads are ready to enjoy in just over an hour. Thicker and chewier than tortillas or pitas, they’re a sturdy option for sandwich wraps. They’re also perfect for dipping into olive oil, a soft spread, or sauce as an appetizer or accompaniment to a more elaborate meal. However you choose to enjoy them, know that you won’t have to carve out hours of your day to devote to their preparation.”

    See the Recipe
  • Hunter’s Easiest Ever Bread

    March 21, 2020Rob

    This is the overnight bread recipe that Hunter used for a fundraiser in San Diego.

    See the Recipe
  • Shockingly Easy No-Knead Focaccia

    February 24, 2020Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Reverse Sear Steak

    February 22, 2020Rob

    My preferred method for cooking a steak.

    See the Recipe
  • Josh’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

    February 18, 2020Rob

    Favorite cookie recipe from Josh and Angela Jensen. They make their cookies large (they estimated that they use a size 20 scoop).

    See the Recipe
  • Broiled Salmon with Lemon and Parmesan

    February 18, 2020Rob
    See the Recipe
  • One-Pot Rice and Beans

    December 11, 2019Rob

    NY Times recipe from Ali Slagle who states, “Not only is rice with beans adored the world over (see: gallo pinto, khichdi, hoppin’ John and Caribbean rice and peas), it even has its own Wikipedia page. This deeply flavored rendition is inspired by these comforting traditions and a desire to wash as few dishes as possible: The rice cooks with the beans and the starchy liquid they’re canned in. As the two ingredients cook together, the beans disperse and glom onto the rice. For an extra kick, sauté chopped jalapeño with the onions, or add 1/4 cup salsa with the…

    See the Recipe
  • Roast Chicken With Maple Butter and Rosemary

    October 28, 2019Rob

    NY Times recipe from Colu Henry who states, “This simple roast chicken combines the classic fall flavors of maple and rosemary with melted butter, which is basted over the bird as it cooks to keep it juicy. The butter browns slightly and helps caramelize the outside thanks to the sugars in the maple syrup. The result is a fragrant, sweet-and-salty chicken that makes the house smell great. There will be plenty of buttery pan juices left over, which you should most certainly pass around the table, but they would also be delicious spooned over rice pilaf.”

    See the Recipe
  • Rob’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

    October 21, 2019Rob

    Recipe I’ve tested and settled on as my favorite.

    See the Recipe
  • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

    October 1, 2019Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Chicken Fried Rice

    September 29, 2019Rob

     Recipe from Natasha’s Kitchen who states, “Chicken Fried Rice is one of our go-to EASY 30-minute meals. Fried Rice is perfect for meal prep and a genius way to use leftovers. It’s actually even better with leftover rice.”

    See the Recipe
  • Classic French Toast

    September 17, 2019Rob

    NY Times recipe from Julia Moskin who states, “Here’s a recipe for the kind of French toast people line up for outside restaurants on Sunday morning. It’s simple: no new ingredients, tools or technology needed. You don’t even need stale bread. What you do need is thick-cut white bread, dunked into an egg-milk mixture with extra richness from egg yolks and heavy cream. That gives the French toast a buttery taste and firm but fluffy texture. (Oversoaking is the enemy here; the mixture should fill the bread, not cause it to break.) For an appetizing, lacy brown crust, sprinkle on…

    See the Recipe
  • Easy Beef Enchiladas

    September 13, 2019Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

    September 12, 2019Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Stupid-Simple Grilled Ribs

    September 4, 2019Rob

    Bon Appetit recipe from Lauren Schaefer who states, “Call us crazy, but we think these three-ingredient charred ribs are just as delicious (if not more so!) than the low-and-slow, fall-off-the-bone-tender kind. They develop a crispy crust as they cook for just 15 minutes on each side, and despite the ridiculously short ingredient list, they’re still plenty flavorful and juicy due to the high fat content in the ribs.”

    See the Recipe
  • Crockpot Beef Stew

    August 14, 2019Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches

    August 14, 2019Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Sweet Mustard Chicken

    August 14, 2019Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Crockpot Pesto Ranch Chicken

    August 14, 2019Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Crockpot Chicken Curry

    August 14, 2019Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala

    August 14, 2019Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Griddle Bread

    August 12, 2019Rob

    Recipe from my sister, Heather, who states, “I make this one a LOT, but I always double it and I get about 16 breads, and when doubled I only use 2 1/2 tablespoons yeast total. I have also used all milk, and all water, both give great results. I almost always use bread flour, but all-purpose flour works fine too. When I first started making these I made them exclusively on the grill since I didn’t have a Blackstone yet, but they’re delicious cooked either way.”

    See the Recipe
  • Grilled Baby Back Ribs

    May 28, 2019Rob

    NY Times recipe from Sam Sifton who states, “We think of ribs as an all-day affair, the meat cooked in smoke and low heat until it begins to pull from the bone. But baby backs are quicker and can be grilled as well, and the result is delicious. This recipe benefits from a basting technique used by the chef and barbecue madman Adam Perry Lang, who thins out his barbecue sauce with water, then paints it onto the meat he’s cooking in coat after coat, allowing it to reduce and intensify rather than seize up and burn.”

    See the Recipe
  • Lemon Curd

    April 7, 2019Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Crumble Topping

    April 7, 2019Rob

    “Crumble toppings are a nice variation to top off a fruit pie. They can brown too much before the filling is done, so wait for the last twenty minutes of the bake to sprinkle this oat crumble evenly over the filling.”

    See the Recipe
  • Thomas Keller’s Homemade Pasta

    April 5, 2019Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Homemade Tortillas

    March 18, 2019Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Simple Crusty Bread

    February 23, 2019Rob

    NY Times recipe from Nick Fox who states, “We thought we’d landed upon the simplest yeast bread recipe in 2007, when Mark Bittman wrote about the no-knead approach of Jim Lahey, owner of Sullivan Street Bakery. It quickly became (and remains) one of our most popular recipes because it made bakery-quality bread a real possibility for home cooks. But then we heard about Jeff Hertzberg, a physician from Minneapolis, who devised a streamlined technique for a crusty loaf of bread. Mix flour, salt, yeast and water. Let it sit a bit, refrigerate it, take some out and let it rise,…

    See the Recipe
  • Chef Elisa’s Tiramisu

    February 2, 2019Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Chef Elisa’s Homemade Pasta

    February 2, 2019Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Chef Elisa’s Grandma’s Pizza Crust

    February 2, 2019Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Streusel Topping

    January 6, 2019Rob

    Mark states, “This topping is like a delicate, crumbled nut cookie, lovely on any crisp or sprinkled on quick breads, muffins, tarts, or pies before baking. Use whole wheat flour for an earthy flavor; vary nuts and spices to complement a particular flavor in the food its topping; or add 3 tablespoons cocoa powder for a chocolate-crumble topping.”

    See the Recipe
  • Basic Ham Glaze

    December 28, 2018Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Basil Pesto

    November 9, 2018Rob

    NY Times recipe from Samin Nosrat who states, “Though pesto means ‘pounded’ in Italian, the rush of modern life has taken the recipe out of the mortar and into the blender (or food processor) for most of us. This version, adapted from a Ligurian woman, Lidia Caveri, gently encourages (but does not require) a return to the mortar. The constant rap of the pestle will jostle the nuts, basil and garlic into an emulsified base. Add the oil and cheese to get an impossibly thick, creamy sauce that clings to pasta unlike any machine-made counterpart could. Though you might think…

    See the Recipe
  • White Sandwich Bread

    November 2, 2018Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Cheesy White Bean-Tomato Bake

    October 29, 2018Rob

    NY Times recipe from Ali Slagle who states, “For those of you who love lasagna’s edges, where sticky tomato meets crisp cheese, this whole dish is for you — even the middle. A tube of tomato paste here mimics the deep flavors of sun-dried tomato. Frying a few generous squeezes caramelizes the tomato’s sugars and saturates the olive oil, making a mixture that’s ready to glom onto anything you stir through it. Here, it’s white beans, though you could add in kale, noodles, even roasted vegetables. Then, all that’s left to do is dot it with cheese and bake until…

    See the Recipe
  • Curried Coconut Chicken

    September 6, 2018Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Slow Cooker Ribs

    August 20, 2018Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Jim Lahey’s No-Knead Pizza Dough

    June 28, 2018Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Chez Panisse’s Blueberry Cobbler

    June 3, 2018Rob

    NY Times recipe from Molly O’Neill who states, “This cobbler, which comes from the kitchens of Chez Panisse, prizes the berries above all, using only 1/3 cup of sugar. The dough rounds for the top are placed so they don’t cover all the berries, and the juice from the berries bubbles up around the dough.”

    See the Recipe
  • Spaghetti With Fried Eggs

    May 30, 2018Rob

    NY Times recipe from Mark Bittman who states, “Here’s a quick and delicious pasta dish to make when you have little time, and even less food in the house. All you need is a box of spaghetti, four eggs, olive oil and garlic (Parmesan is a delicious, but optional, addition).”

    See the Recipe
  • Slow Cooker Honey Pork Roast

    May 18, 2018Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Marcella Hazan’s Tomato Sauce

    May 14, 2018Rob

     This is a recipe from Marcella Hazan’s cookbook, Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking. Here are some additional articles about it: To Make The World’s Best Pasta Sauce, You Only Need 3 Ingredients The Story of a Sauce So Simple People Thought It Was a Hoax 16 Things Marcella Hazan Taught Us About Cooking How to Make 3-Ingredient Tomato Pasta Sauce How to Make 3-Ingredient Tomato Pasta Sauce

    See the Recipe
  • Classic Deviled Eggs

    March 7, 2018Rob

    NY Times recipe from Alex Witchel who states, “This recipe is adapted from ”U.S.A. Cookbook,’ a tribute to classic all-American dishes, written by Sheila Lukins, a co-author of the Silver Palate cookbooks that were popular in the 80s and 90s. There are no newfangled ingredients here – no lemongrass or curry or pesto – just eggs, mustard, mayonnaise, a dash of Tabasco and a festive sprinkle of paprika (if you’re feeling fancy, garnish with chives). They are basic, but spectacular, and always a welcome addition to the picnic table.”

    See the Recipe
  • No-Knead Artisan Bread

    January 16, 2018Rob

    Jim Lahey Video: Sources for Jim Lahey Versions: Book – “How to Cook Everything” by Mark Bittman, p. 833. Video – https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/11376-no-knead-bread. Simply So Good Video: Source for Simply So Good Version: http://www.simplysogood.com/2013/03/artisan-no-knead-bread.html

    See the Recipe
  • Mom’s Classic Sugar Cookies

    December 23, 2017Rob

    This is my mom’s recipe as posted by Heather who writes, “My Mom has been making these cookies for as long as I can remember. They are simple, easy and delicious, and I love that the dough doesn’t need to be chilled before you use it.”

    See the Recipe
  • Royal Icing

    December 17, 2017Rob

    NY Times recipe from Alison Roman who states, “When it comes to decorating sugar cookies, there’s nothing more iconic or festive than that thick, glossy royal icing. You’ll want to mix the ingredients until they’re fluffy, and until the icing flows fluidly from the whisk. Once it’s the texture of hot fudge, it’ll be ready to apply to your cookies. After it dries, at least an hour later, it’ll take on a matte, smooth appearance resembling an eggshell, a perfect canvas for your most inspired designs.”

    See the Recipe
  • Sheranian Family Snickerdoodles

    December 11, 2017Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Sautéed Chicken Breasts With Tarragon

    November 6, 2017Rob

    NY Times recipe from Kim Severson who states, “As the owner of the French Laundry, Per Se and Bouchon, restaurateur Thomas Keller is best known for haute cuisine, but he can do weeknight cooking, too. Case in point: this elegant and easy chicken dish that can be ready in about 20 minutes.”

    See the Recipe
  • Snickerdoodle Cupcakes

    August 9, 2017Rob

    From Mindy: “These are an easy semi-homemade treat you can make for all of life’s occasions. The best part is they taste just like a fresh baked snickerdoodle cookie.”

    See the Recipe
  • Spaghetti Carbonara

    August 7, 2017Rob

    Here is a video for an alternate version: Slight modification of a NY Times recipe by Ian Fisher who states, “This dish is a deli egg-bacon-and-cheese-on-a-roll that has been pasta-fied, fancified, fetishized and turned into an Italian tradition that, like many inviolate Italian traditions, is actually far less old than the Mayflower. Because America may have contributed to its creation, carbonara is Exhibit A in the back-and-forth between Italy and the United States when it comes to food. Remember: the main goal is creaminess.”

    See the Recipe
  • Maida Heatter’s Popovers

    June 26, 2017Rob

    NY Times recipe by Amanda Hesser who states, “The popover is a culinary marvel, a loose batter that, with the aid of a hot oven, expands like a golden cumulus cloud, producing a crisp, hollow pastry with a soft, eggy interior. While the mixture is very similar to crepe batter, when you confine it to deep, narrow, muffinlike molds, the surface of the batter sets and the air is trapped, so that the pastry has nowhere to go but up and out, creating a gravity-defying bubble. Heatter’s version ran in The Times in 1966 with an article by Craig Claiborne,…

    See the Recipe
  • Scottish Shortbread

    June 12, 2017Rob

    NY Times recipe by Melissa Clark who states, “Shortbread is not only one of the easiest desserts you can possibly make, it’s also one of the most adaptable. As long as you keep the butter to flour ratio constant (1 stick butter to 1 cup flour), everything else is negotiable. You can reduce or increase the sugar and salt, or mix in any type of flavoring from citrus zest to vanilla to herbs and spices. You can even alter the type of flour, swapping in some rice flour for all purpose flour for increased crunch, or cornmeal for a nubby…

    See the Recipe
  • Steak Diane

    June 5, 2017Rob

    NY Times recipe from Mark Bittman who states, “Though you can follow this procedure with almost any tender cut of beef (and with chicken breasts, if that direction appeals to you), it’s a perfect treatment for tenderloin medallions (filet mignon).”

    See the Recipe
  • Benedetta’s Easy Tiramisù (Modified)

    June 3, 2017Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken

    May 25, 2017Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Rosa Parks’ Featherlite Pancakes

    May 25, 2017Rob

    This recipe was written by Rosa Parks on the back of a deposit slip and is part of a collection of her personal papers, letters, and photographs recently digitized and made available by the Library of Congress.

    See the Recipe
  • Sam Sifton’s All-Purpose Biscuits

    May 19, 2017Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Dutch Baby

    May 15, 2017Rob

    NY Times recipe by Florence Fabricant who writes, “This large, fluffy pancake is excellent for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dessert any time of year. And it comes together in about five blessed minutes. Just dump all of the ingredients into a blender, give it a good whirl, pour it into a heated skillet sizzling with butter, and pop it into the oven. Twenty-five minutes later? Bliss.”

    See the Recipe
  • Cast-Iron Steak

    May 8, 2017Rob

    NY Times recipe from Julia Moskin who writes, “This isn’t steakhouse steak; it’s your-house steak, ideal for home cooks who want fast weeknight meals. The rules are simple: buy boneless cuts (they cook evenly), thinner steaks (they cook through on top of the stove), dry them well (to maximize crust), then salt and sear them in an insanely hot, preferably cast-iron pan. The recipe here is a radical departure from the conventional wisdom on steak, which commands you to salt the meat beforehand, put it on the heat and then leave it alone. Instead, you should salt the pan (not…

    See the Recipe
  • Pork Roast

    May 4, 2017Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Mark Bittman’s Buttermilk Biscuits

    April 30, 2017Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Better Homes and Gardens Biscuits

    April 30, 2017Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Slow Cooker Molten Chocolate and Caramel Cake

    April 27, 2017Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Grasslands Road Irish Soda Bread

    April 27, 2017Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Mississippi Roast

    April 14, 2017Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Barbecued Chicken

    April 12, 2017Rob

    NY Times recipe from Sam Sifton who states, “Barbecued chicken isn’t, really: It’s grilled rather than smoke-roasted at low temperature. But it requires a similar attention to technique. You’ll want to move the pieces around on the grill to keep them from burning, and flip them often as well. Cooking barbecued chicken benefits from a basting technique used by the chef and outdoor cooking maven Adam Perry Lang, who thins out his sauce with water, then paints it onto the meat he’s cooking coat after coat, allowing it to reduce and intensify rather than seize up and burn.”

    See the Recipe
  • Classic Truffles

    April 11, 2017Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Indian Fry Bread

    April 6, 2017Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Simple Bread Pudding

    March 23, 2017Rob

    NY Times recipe by Mark Bittman who states, “This recipe is proof-positive that leftover bread can easily be converted to dessert without much work. There’s room for customization here: consider adding fresh or dried fruit or a combination of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cardamom. It makes a great brunch dish, served with fresh fruit compote. Or add a handful of chocolate chips before baking for a decidedly more decadent outcome.”

    See the Recipe
  • Snoball Brownies

    March 11, 2017Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Marshmallow Crispy Treats

    January 29, 2017Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Mom’s No-Bake Cookies

    January 29, 2017Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Mom’s Popovers

    January 29, 2017Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Rob’s Crepes

    January 29, 2017Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Dad’s Toffee Bars

    January 28, 2017Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Chocolate Ganache

    January 20, 2017Rob

    Ganache is classically the foundation for chocolate truffles and other types of candies, as well as a glaze for cream puffs, éclairs, and a frosting for cakes. The ratio of chocolate and cream in the recipe depends on what you’re using the ganache for. The ratios below produce a ganache well suited for use as a glaze for cream puffs and éclairs.

    See the Recipe
  • Three Ingredient Orange Chicken

    January 20, 2017Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Classic Green Bean Casserole

    December 23, 2016Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Classic Cheesecake

    February 14, 2016Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Everyday Food Mac and Cheese Cups

    February 3, 2016Rob
    See the Recipe
  • Basic Pie Crust

    January 27, 2016Rob

    This is the Stevenson family recipe used by Grandma Bannatyne and Auntie Lorayne. It makes a single pie crust, so you will need to double it for double crust pies. One reason why it’s so popular is that it’s simple and easy to remember since each ingredient is half of the previous one (with some salt sprinkled in).

    See the Recipe