Dinner ready in 20 minutes: Orange Chicken is a beloved homemade take on Chinese takeout. Crisp battered chicken bites are tossed in a bright, sweet orange sauce and served with steamed white rice. Choosing a single favorite from Chinese-American takeout is tough—there are so many great dishes—but Orange Chicken is definitely near the top of … Read more

My Baked Empanadas are flaky pastry pockets filled with a savory Mexican picadillo of ground beef, potatoes, and tomatoes, finished with a slice of creamy Monterey Jack cheese. These from-scratch beef empanadas use budget-friendly ingredients and can be made in about an hour, making them accessible for any home cook. What Are Beef Empanadas? Beef … Read more

Slow cooker hot dogs is a simple, crowd-friendly method for making steamed, ballpark-style hot dogs with almost no effort. Whether you need a few for a family meal or dozens for a party, this technique lets you cook large quantities with consistent results. Instructions for preparing them in an Instant Pot are included as well. … Read more

Considering the VPCOK sous vide cooker but unsure whether it’s the right sous vide machine for you? This VPCOK sous vide review summarizes its main features, customer feedback, and buying considerations to help you decide. The VPCOK sous vide cooker is priced lower than many competing models, yet it delivers thoughtful design and useful features. … Read more

These soft, chewy Sugar Cookie Bars are pure heaven. Adapted from a beloved soft sugar cookie recipe, they include a little secret—cream cheese in the dough—for extra chewiness. A generous layer of buttercream frosting on top finishes them perfectly. Today our neighbor’s little girl asked, “Did you fix the baby?” She thought my seven-week-old newborn … Read more

The Instant Pot brings Southern desserts into the fast lane, delivering slow-cooked flavor with set-it-and-forget-it convenience. It’s an ideal tool for dishes that usually need lots of hands-on time—like a moist, flavorful Southern red velvet cake that looks and tastes impressive. Can you make cake in the Instant Pot? Yes. Instant Pot baking is convenient … Read more

Compound butter is simply butter blended with flavorful ingredients such as fresh herbs, chiles, capers, anchovies, mustard, lemon juice, garlic or shallots. They’re an effortless way to add layered flavor to everyday dishes with very little work. This three-ingredient dill caper butter is one of my favorites. It’s delicious spread on a rye crispbread topped … Read more

This is the 10-Minute Curried Chickpea Salad our restaurant sells out of regularly—customers are always asking for the recipe. The creamy tahini dressing is irresistible. Every bite delivers crunch, chew, and bold flavor from crisp vegetables, cashews, cilantro, and chewy raisins. It keeps beautifully in the fridge, so it’s perfect for make-ahead lunches or filling … Read more

Want to bake delicious treats but don’t know where to begin? Whether you’re new to baking or aiming to sharpen your skills, this Baking for Beginners guide will take you through the essentials you need to become a confident home baker. Baking is a rewarding hobby that brings pleasure to you and others. It can … Read more