Simple Cooking

Enjoy this coffee cocktail as a pick-me-up, a low-alcohol refresher, or on either end of a big meal.

The classic Aperol spritz recipe on the back of the Aperol bottle calls for three parts Prosecco (or other sparkling wine), two parts Aperol, and a splash of soda. The concoction is fizzy and vibrantly orange in flavor, softly sweet and just a tiny bit bitter—perfect for sipping before dinner as an aperitivo. Earlier versions of the spritz used Select, which some tasters find more complex, or Campari, which is quite a bit more bitter and bracing. But you can spritz with whatever bittersweet liqu.…

Jessie Sheehan's easy 3-minute chocolate mug cake is rich, tender, and moist, with a soft center reminiscent of a molten lava cake.

This New York-meets-Scandi-style treat combines cheesecake with plump cloudberries.

Step away from the oven—this flan is cooked on the stovetop.

This refreshing sherry and watermelon cocktail gets a spicy kick from ginger kombucha.

This beet-tahini dip starts off sweet, then gets a little spicy.

Not to be mistaken for baba ghanoush, this eggplant and tahini dip leans on spices rather than citrus for its flavor.

This Swiss chard–based dip is not only visually stunning but also has the perfect balance of earthy, sweet, and acidic flavor.

A classic Southern cake, after winning first prize at the county fair in Columbus, Georgia, Lane Cake also earned the name “Prize Cake.” 

This cake has been a favorite since 1965, when a girl won a baking competition with her grandmother’s secret family recipe.

This easy grilled salmon in foil recipe is totally foolproof, resulting in flaky fish with a garlic-herb butter sauce. And did we mention cleanup is a breeze?

The best gin and tonic is all in the technique, because the most important ingredient in a G&T is not really the gin, or even the tonic. It’s carbonation.

Bananas Foster, a flambéed dessert of halved bananas in a syrupy rum sauce, is a New Orleans favorite that never fails to please. Don’t forget the ice cream.

Chef Reem Assil’s cookie bar version of ma’amoul—a holiday cookie enjoyed for Eid, Christmas, and Easter—is scented with espresso and orange blossom water.

This classic Roman pasta only has a few ingredients, but they merge into a surprisingly silky, flavor-packed sauce.

This easy pork roast is a hands-off dinner party main thanks to your slow cooker.

Drizzle this pickled peppercorn vinaigrette over slow-cooked meats or roasted vegetables to brighten things up.

Pickled tomatoes brighten up this classic breakfast casserole.