Simple Cooking

A long-standing tradition in Upper Michigan, meat hand pies are the ultimate portable comfort food.

Any heavy cream that's beaten long enough turns into butter, of course. But by incorporating one extra step in the process—culturing the cream with buttermilk or yogurt, essentially turning it into tangy, funky crème fraîche—this recipe reaches a whole new depth of flavor.

White chocolate adds a rich, creamy sweetness to this quick pumpkin mousse. Be careful to keep the white chocolate and pumpkin mixtures warm as you mix them; otherwise, the white chocolate can set as it mixes into the pumpkin. If this happens, simply return the mixture to the microwave and gently reheat. Serve it alone or as part of our Build-Your-Own Thanksgiving Pie Bar.

Can’t get enough of pumpkin pie spice? With this easy whipped cream, you can add it to everything: our awesome Build-Your-Own Thanksgiving Pie Bar, the ultimate autumn icebox cake, and, yes, even your next latte.

Serve these luscious butterscotch-glazed apples with Cinnamon-Oat Crumble Topping for a quick apple crisp, atop pancakes or a Dutch Baby for a delicious fall-flavored breakfast, or alongside our Build-Your-Own Thanksgiving Pie Bar.

This impressive side plays on the classic twice-baked potato with toppings of Parmesan whipped cream, candied hazelnut-bacon bits, and chives.

Digging into these wet nuts is like getting the best part of the ooey-gooey pecan pie: the rich brown butter brings out the nuttiness of the pecans and walnuts, and tangy orange juice helps balance the sweet filling. Serve them over ice cream, with chocolate mousse, or with our Build-Your-Own Thanksgiving Pie Bar.

Cuban pulled pork—or lechon asado—meets traditional Cuban ham and Swiss sandwiches in these zesty, melty paninis.

Radiating the aromas of toasted cumin and coriander, and spiked with the salty-sour pucker of cured lemons and olives, this chicken stew produces a heady effect. If you can’t find preserved lemons in your local food markets (high-end stores usually stock them), you can order them or make them yourself.

This brothy beans-and-greens stew is all about the spicy chile-herb "smash" that gets scattered on top.

The breadcrumb-topped cabbage is also delicious with roast pork or chicken.

This fall grain salad combines spelt with kabocha squash that's been roasted in a smoky paprika and pomegranate molasses glaze.

The gluten-free crust for these vegetarian pizzas is made from cauliflower that's been ground into fine crumbs and mixed with almond flour and Parmesan cheese.

These root vegetable pancakes are a gift to eggs everywhere for brunch, served under a little crème fraîche and smoked salmon for a party app, or simply paired with sour cream and applesauce for an ideal sweet-savory combo anytime.

A vinegary red bell pepper mixture cuts through the richness of this classic Italian-American appetizer for a bite that's salty, smoky, and sweet.

Make a big pot of this classic slow-cooked sauce—it freezes beautifully.

The chicken should be falling-apart tender; if it starts to shred when you plate it, that’s a good sign!

This all-butter pie crust relies on a hint of red wine vinegar for balance and it's tenderizing effects.

When working with a large quantity of greens, it’s much easier to sauté them if they’re blanched first. Their time in the olive oil is more for flavoring and reaching the ideal texture.

What makes this salad so good? A secret ingredient we like to call "flavor flakes."