Looking to eat a little less meat without sacrificing flavor? Ali Slagle’s Cauliflower Adobo delivers. Deeply seared cauliflower simmers in a glossy, garlicky adobo sauce that’s tangy, savory, and just sweet enough. Finished with scallions and served over rice, it’s a vegetarian dinner that feels hearty, bold, and deeply satisfying.
2025 was a quieter year at home- more routine, more cooking, and a deeper rhythm in the kitchen. From favorite dishes I made to recipes I developed and the cookbooks that inspired me most, this roundup captures what I cooked, loved, and learned along the way.
This roasted shrimp cocktail is Ina’s take on a nostalgic holiday classic. Roasting the shrimp makes them plump, juicy, and deeply flavorful, while a zippy, old-school cocktail sauce keeps things familiar. Low effort, high reward – perfect for New Year’s Eve.
These Spicy (Enough) Arancini are everything you want in a party appetizer: creamy risotto inside, crisp and golden outside, with just enough heat from Calabrian chile paste. Made for cookbook club and perfect for New Year’s Eve, they’re rich, crunchy perfection.
This warmly spiced gingerbread, from Toni Tipton-Martin, is sweetened with molasses, brown sugar, then finished with a bright lemon butter sauce and bourbon Chantilly cream. Even better, leftovers transform beautifully into a trifle-style dessert.
Instead of walking to Tandem Coffee + Bakery, I baked Briana Holt’s Buttermilk Sugar Biscuits at home using her recipe from The New York Times. Grated frozen butter and multiple folds create crunchy edges, fluffy centers, and rich buttery flavor – finished with flaky salt and jam. Perfect for Christmas Eve.
These easy millet muffins from Joanne Weir are simple, cozy, and quietly special. A no-frills buttermilk batter comes together in minutes, while millet adds subtle sweetness and the most satisfying crunch. After a quick 20-minute bake, you’re rewarded with plush, tender muffins perfect for breakfast or snacking.
If you’ve never had strata, it’s the perfect Christmas morning treat as most of the work is done ahead of time, and it’s a hearty, warming dish ideal for a cold winter morning. This spin on a family favorite ups the flavor with a homemade mushroom cream sauce and crispy shallots!