Nut Free

With a simple "cheater's version" of ricotta gnocchi, this pasta dinner comes together easily on any weeknight.

You don't need mystical powers to conjure the magical swirl in this spooky cake that's perfect for a Halloween party.

It's not Oktoberfest without a soft pretzel—and once you've made a traditional German-style one from scratch, you'll never settle for those beer hall imposters again.

This spring-themed dish works perfectly as an entrée or as a side dish.

I developed this low-maintenance recipe in my restaurant days, when I needed a big batch of whipped cream to last through the night in a steamy kitchen. The trick is a bit of extra sugar, which helps the cream whip into a stable foam that can be held for up to eight hours.

Homemade sweetened condensed milk traditionally requires ultra-low heat and up to 6 hours of constant stirring, but with a splash of heavy cream added to prevent scorching, I can crank up the heat and be done in 45 minutes. The result is thicker, creamier, and more luscious than anything from a can, with a rich dairy flavor and subtle notes of caramel. If you like chai tea, be sure to try the cinnamon-spiced variation.

If you can fold a napkin, you can make an old-fashioned pie crust—no food processor, no pastry knife, no vodka. Most important: no cracking or tearing. The dough is supple, smooth, and strong, so it’s easy to handle and shape. It also freezes incredibly well, which is why I always make two. Besides, who doesn’t want more pie? Especially one with a crust this tender, flaky, and crisp.

Use this Indian-spiced tomato sauce in Gujarti Eggplant and Sweet Potato “Lasagna.”

A spicy kick to a delicious and easy baked chicken recipe. Any mustard works, but we love one available at health food stores that has apple cider vinegar in it.

No overnight salting, brining, air-drying, temperature changes, or complicated trussing, just a simple roasted chicken.

Nothing compares to cast iron. Whether you're using a standard skillet or an enameled baking dish, the material's heat-retention qualities can't be matched by any tempered glass or even stainless-steel vessels.

Adding olive oil to this hot sauce recipe lends it body and mellows some of the heat.

Cooking the apples with their skins on adds a beautiful rosy blush to the finished sauce.

For the best results, buy fresh full-cream ricotta. It's available at delicatessens and the deli counter of supermarkets.

Keep this curry paste in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

This versatile marinade works on everything from eggplant to chicken breasts. Vary ingredients with the seasons, changing up the herbs as you see fit. Basil, thyme, oregano, and tarragon will all work perfectly here.

Heavy cream, alone or in conjunction with oil, can be added to vinegar and mustard, producing a vinaigrette that is excellent with delicately flavored salads. Because of its subtlety, creamy vinaigrette can be flavored easily with herbs such as mint, chives, or chervil. It is also excellent for showcasing a special vinegar.

These sugared doughnuts are craggy and crunchy on the outside, tender and moist on the inside. Apple butter (not sauce!) is key to their texture and flavor; look for it alongside jams and jellies in the supermarket, or at farmers’ markets, or make your own.

Serve panko-crusted white fish with a piquant relish of cucumbers, fennel, and chiles, kissed with both lime and cilantro.

This antipasto platter goes way past jarred peppers and cold cuts, with roasted vegetables that change with the seasons. Even at room temp, these options round out any meat and cheese platter.