Patates Lemonates (Greek Lemon Potatoes)

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When it comes to roast potatoes, crispness is often prized as the ultimate goal — but there are plenty of other oven-roasted styles worthy of attention, ones that place a premium on creamy tenderness rather than crunch.

Patates Lemonates, a classic Greek side of potatoes roasted with olive oil, lemon juice, and oregano, are a top contender in this category. A generous splash of stock or water added to the pan before it goes in the oven creates a braise-roast hybrid cooking environment that gives the spuds their characteristic fork-tender texture.

Unlike many Western European potato dishes, patates lemonates take advantage of the flavor-absorbing qualities of potatoes to imbue them with a burst of citrus acidity rather than just fat and woodsy herbs. This brightness makes them the perfect foil to hearty roasted or grilled meats and seafood.

These poatoes are commonly prepared as an accompaniment to roast chicken, with pieces of potato arranged around a bird in a roasting pan so that they soak up poultry juices during cooking. Also known as patates riganates (oregano) or patates sto fourno (oven-roasted), they can easily be prepared on their own as well.

The approach here draws on a technique used for French pommes de terre fondantes: rather than relying on a single uncovered roast or variable intervals of covering and uncovering — which can produce inconsistent results across different ovens — the potatoes are given a more controlled braise-roast environment that reliably delivers the ideal balance of tenderness and light surface browning.

Patates Lemonates (Greek Lemon Potatoes)

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 2 1/2 lbs. Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, lightly crushed
  • 3/4 cup homemade chicken stock or low-sodium store-bought chicken broth, or water
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice from about 3 lemons, divided
  • 2 tsp. dried oregano

Directions

  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 425°F. In a 12-inch stainless steel straight-sided sauté pan or skillet, or cast iron skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil medium-high heat until shimmering. Add potatoes to skillet, with one cut side down, in a single layer and evenly spaced, and season with salt. Cook, without moving, until potatoes begin to brown around edges, 4 to 5 minutes. Continue to cook, rotating and swirling pan gently to promote even browning and prevent sticking, until potatoes are browned on bottom side, 2 to 3 minutes longer, adjusting heat as needed if some of the pieces brown too quickly.
  2. Using a thin metal spatula, flip potatoes onto second flat side. Continue to cook until browned on second side, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, and cook until aromatic, about 1 minute. Add remaining olive oil, chicken stock (or water), 3 tablespoons lemon juice, and oregano. Bring to a boil, swirling pan occasionally, and season with salt to taste.
  3. Transfer skillet to oven and roast until potatoes are completely tender, offering little to no resistance when poked with a paring knife, and most of the stock has evaporated, 25 to 30 minutes.
  4. Remove from oven, add remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and stir to combine. Season with salt to taste, then serve.

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Recipe by Sasha Marx for Serious Eats

Sweet and Spicy Grilled Flank Steak

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Flank steak gets the bold treatment it deserves — a zesty lime marinade with brown sugar sweetness and a fiery kick from jalapeño and sriracha. Fire up the grill and get ready for one of the most satisfying weeknight dinners around. And whatever you do, make extra — the leftovers are absolutely worth it.

There are some steaks that need nothing more than a little salt and pepper to bring out their beefy goodness. Flank steak is not one of them. This bold marinade is just the sort of seasoning the brawny cut begs for: lime juice and zest add brightness, brown sugar sweetness, and jalapeño and sriracha a complex heat. Just whiz it all together in a food processor and slather on the meat. Marinate overnight (or 2 hours if that’s all the time you have) before tossing it on the grill.

And since you have the grill fired up, do yourself a favor and make a colorful, smoky side dish that pairs perfectly with the Sweet and Spicy Grilled Flank Steak. Combine tender cremini mushrooms, sweet red bell pepper, hearty eggplant, zucchini, and caramelized onion with a handful of chopped fresh herbs such as rosemary, oregano and parsley. Marinate in a bowl or ziploc for a couple of hours with EVOO, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to taste. When ready to cook, add them to a grill basket, stirring occasionally until they all come together for a simple yet stunning accompaniment. (The vegetables will take about 15 minutes longer than the steak.)

Sweet and Spicy Grilled Flank Steak

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 1-2 scallions, coarsely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. peeled and finely chopped ginger
  • 1 fresh jalapeño, seeded if desired, coarsely chopped
  • 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. light brown sugar
  • Zest of ½ lime
  • 2 tsp. lime juice
  • 1 tsp. sriracha or other hot sauce (or to taste)
  • 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1½ tsp. coarse kosher salt
  • 1½ lbs. flank steak, OR skirt steak

Directions

  1. In a food processor, pulse together scallion, ginger, jalapeño, garlic, sugar, lime zest and juice, and sriracha. With the motor running, pour in oil until smooth.
  2. Season steak with salt. Place in a large ziploc baggie and pour marinade over meat. Massage the meat in the bag to coat well with the mixture, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  3. When you are ready to cook the steak, heat the grill to medium-high heat, or heat the broiler with the rack set 4 inches from the heat source. Transfer meat to the grill and cook, covered, until it reaches the desired doneness (about 5 minutes per side for medium-rare), or broil until charred and done to taste, 4 to 6 minutes per side. (If using skirt steak, the meat will cook quicker since it is a thinner cut.)
  4. Let rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes, then slice thinly. Serve with grilled vegetable medley, if desired.

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Adapted from a recipe by Melissa Clark for NYTimes Cooking

Roasted Rosemary Chicken with Citrus Marinade

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If you’re into roast chicken with oodles of flavor, this recipe is for you. Fragrant rosemary and oregano, bright citrus, spices and aromatics come together for a dish that’s effortlessly elegant. Imagine crisp, tangy, and succulent chicken seasoned Mediterranean-style and bathed in a bold wine and a orange-lime marinade.

The delicious jammy onion and citrusy-tangy sauce are splendid served over garlicky mashed potatoes, rice or polenta. To complete the dinner, add a side of roasted Brussels sprouts.

TIP: Use split chicken or chicken pieces of similar size for even cooking. For best flavor, allow 30 minutes, or preferably 2 hours for marinating.

Our bird was a good bit larger than the 3 1/2-pound listed chicken, and therefore required a longer cooking time. *And while it brings visual appeal to the platter, there really is no need for all of the extra citrus slices, perhaps just a few for color.

Because our chicken was sufficiently charred once it reached the proper internal temperature, we opted not to put it under the broiler, but did slather on the honey glaze. If however you might be broiling it, make sure to use an enameled cast iron, or other broiler-proof pan that won’t shatter under intense heat.

Roasted Rosemary Chicken with Citrus Marinade

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken (about 3 ½ lbs.), split in half through the backbone
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 cup Pinot Noir
  • 3 oranges, 1 zested, 2½ juiced, plus ½ sliced for garnish
  • 2 limes, 1 juiced, plus 1* lime sliced for garnish
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • 1 ½ tsp. dried oregano
  • 1 tsp. dried rosemary
  • 1 tsp. sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp. Aleppo pepper
  • 7 to 8 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 white onion, halved, peeled and sliced
  • 1 Tbsp. honey

Directions

  1. Season the chicken with kosher salt on all sides, making sure to season underneath the skin as well. (You can do this one night ahead of time and keep the chicken in the fridge to air-chill uncovered).
  2. Prepare the citrus marinade. In a medium bowl, add the wine, orange juice and zest, lime juice, 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, tomato paste, spices, and a good dash of kosher salt. Add the garlic, whisk to combine.
  3. In a extra-large ziploc, add the chicken and onion slices and toss to coat, making sure to lift the skin up and spoon some of the marinade underneath (this will give you more flavor). Set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes. Alternatively, refrigerate for an hour or two, turning the bag every 20 minutes or so. (For best results, take it out of the fridge and leave the chicken at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes before cooking)
  4. Preheat the oven to 425°F and adjust a rack in the middle.
  5. Transfer the chicken and the marinade to a braising pan that can withstand a broiling temperature. Roast for 30 minutes, then carefully turn the pan 180 degrees and roast for another 15 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender (juices should run clear).
  6. In a small bowl, mix together the honey with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Carefully remove the chicken from the oven and brush the top with the honey and olive oil mixture.
  7. If necessary, switch the oven to the broil function. Return the chicken back to the oven about 6 inches away from the broiler and cook briefly for 3 to 4 minutes, watching for the skin to turn a nice golden brown.
  8. Remove from the heat and finish with lime juice. Add slices of fresh orange and lime, if desired.

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Adapted from a recipe by Suzy Karadsheh

Black Bean-Garlic Skirt Steak with Asparagus

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In this recipe from Cooking the Borderlands: Spice and Smoke Between Mexico and the States, two culinary traditions are brought together: the high-heat grilling of northern Mexico and the bold savoriness of Chinese fermented black bean sauce. The result is a platter of wonderfully charred skirt steak draped with asparagus slicked in a glossy black bean–garlic sauce punctuated by chiles de árbol.

Salted fermented black beans, available at Asian markets and online, bring an ultra-concentrated savory quality. Here, they’re mashed with garlic, ginger, and scallions, then cooked gently with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and piloncillo until thick and lacquered. A spoonful transforms the asparagus stir-fry into something complex and multidimensional. The recipe makes more sauce than you need for this dish — an intentional gift to future meals. (Although we intentionally used more than the recipe called for.)

With simply marinated skirt steak grilled over high heat, the dish balances smoke, sweetness, heat, and salinity. A squeeze of lime and a scatter of herbs brighten each bite, making this a meal that feels both celebratory and deeply personal. If you, like us, find yourself firmly parked in the camp of craving intensely bold flavors, then you’ll want to take a spin with this recipe!

What takes time here is the meat marinating, which is anywhere from a minimum of 3 hours up to overnight — we chose the latter. By doing so, you can just jump right into dinner prep on the eve of your meal.

Black Bean-Garlic Skirt Steak with Asparagus

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: moderate
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Ingredients

Black Bean-Garlic Sauce

  • 4 scallions
  • 1/2 cup salted fermented black beans, rinsed
  • 8 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
  • 3 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
  • 3 Tbsp. water
  • 3 Tbsp. grapeseed oil or other neutral cooking oil
  • 3 dried chiles de árbol, stemmed
  • 1/3 cup ground or grated piloncillo or dark brown sugar (about 1 oz.)
  • 3 Tbsp. Shaoxing cooking wine
  • 3 Tbsp. soy sauce

Skirt Steak

  • 1 2-lb. outside skirt steak (1/2 inch thick)
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
  • 1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
  • 1 1/2 tsp. Diamond Crystal kosher salt

Asparagus Stir-Fry

  • 2 Tbsp. grapeseed oil or other neutral cooking oil
  • 1 lb. fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut crosswise into thirds (3 cups)
  • 2/3 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 5 Tbsp. Black Bean–Garlic Sauce
  • 3 Tbsp. water
  • Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
  • Lime wedges and steamed rice, for serving

Directions

  1. Make the black bean–garlic sauce: Separate white parts from green parts of scallions; refrigerate scallion greens until ready to use. Coarsely chop white parts of scallions, and place in a mini food processor; add fermented black beans, garlic, ginger, and 3 tablespoons water. Pulse until you have a rough, minced paste (not a smooth puree), 8 to 10 pulses, stopping to scrape down sides of container as needed.
  2. Heat grapeseed oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high until oil is shimmering. Add chiles; fry, stirring often, until chiles turn a dark burgundy color, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer chiles to a small bowl using a slotted spoon; reserve for garnish.
  3. Add black bean mixture to oil in skillet; fry over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is fragrant and just begins to stick to bottom of skillet, about 2 minutes. Whisk in wine, soy sauce, and piloncillo, combining thoroughly. Cook over medium, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens, is dark and glossy, and can almost be mistaken for a chocolate sauce, about 1 minute and 30 seconds. Scrape sauce into a small heatproof bowl. Reserve 5 tablespoons for this recipe; store remaining sauce (about 1/2 cup).
  4. Make the skirt steak: Place steak in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish. (Halve steak crosswise, if needed, to fit in dish.) Rub steak with olive oil, garlic, ginger, and salt, massaging thoroughly. Cover baking dish using plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to overnight.
  5. Preheat grill to high (450°F to 500°F). Place steak on oiled grates; grill, uncovered and undisturbed, until a hard sear is achieved, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip steak; sear until a thermometer inserted into thickest portion of steak registers 120°F to 125°F for medium-rare, about 3 minutes, or until desired degree of doneness. Remove steak from grill, and let steak rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing.
  6. Make the asparagus stir-fry: Heat grapeseed oil in a large wok or heavy skillet over high until oil starts lightly smoking. Quickly add asparagus and onion; cook, stirring constantly, until asparagus is crisp-tender, about 4 minutes.
  7. Add black bean–garlic sauce and 3 tablespoons water to wok; cook, stirring often, until asparagus is just done and coated in sauce, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
  8. Slice reserved green parts of scallions; finely chop fried chiles de árbol. Slice steak against the grain into thin strips; arrange on a large platter. Spoon asparagus mixture over steak. Garnish with cilantro leaves, scallion greens, and chile de árbol. Serve with lime wedges and rice.

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Adapted from a recipe by Claudette Zepeda for Food and Wine

Pork and Onion Stir-Fry

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Some of the most satisfying dishes are born at the intersection of two culinary worlds, and this Pork and Onion Stir Fry is a perfect example. Classic Chinese technique — velveting the pork with cornstarch, baking soda, and Shaoxing wine to ensure it stays tender and silky — meets an unexpectedly familiar sauce built on ketchup and Worcestershire, two pantry staples that have quietly made themselves at home in Chinese-American cooking for generations.

The result is a stir fry that’s deeply savory, a little tangy, and faintly sweet, with caramelized onions that soak up every drop of that glossy, umami-rich sauce. It comes together in minutes, works with nearly any cut of pork you have on hand (we used pork loin), and tastes like something far more considered than the sum of its parts.

Ketchup may seem like an odd choice but in many cases, it’s not so much about a lack of “authenticity” or a sign of no effort, but rather an ingredient that was lovingly adopted into the Chinese American pantry.

Pork and Onion Stir-Fry

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

For the pork and marinade:

  • 12 oz. boneless pork (thinly sliced into 2-inch lengths; pork shoulder, butt, loin, and boneless country ribs are all good options)
  • 1 Tbsp. water
  • 1 tsp. cornstarch
  • 1½ tsp. Shaoxing wine
  • 1 tsp. neutral oil (such as canola, vegetable, or grapeseed oil)
  • 1 tsp. oyster sauce
  • ¼ tsp. baking soda
  • ⅛ tsp. white pepper

For the sauce:

  • 3 Tbsp. water
  • 1½ Tbsp. ketchup
  • 1 Tbsp. light soy sauce
  • 1½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ tsp. sugar
  • ½ tsp. dark soy sauce
  • ⅛ tsp. white pepper

For the rest of the dish:

  • 2 Tbsp. neutral oil
  • 1 clove garlic (sliced)
  • 2 medium onions (sliced into thin wedges)
  • 2 Tbsp. Shaoxing wine
  • 2 scallions, sliced thin on a diagonal for garnish (optional)

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl, add the sliced pork, water, cornstarch, Shaoxing wine, oil, oyster sauce, baking soda, and white pepper.
  2. Next, make the sauce mixture by combining the water, ketchup, light soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, dark soy sauce, and white pepper.
  3. Heat a wok or skillet over medium-high heat until it’s just starting to smoke or a drop of water beads on the surface. Add the neutral oil and swirl it around to coat. Add the pork in a single layer and let it sear. When it’s golden on the edges on one side, flip and stir-fry the pork. Cook to about 80% doneness. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
  4. Add the garlic and onion to the pan. Stir fry and cook for 30 seconds, then add the Shaoxing wine to deglaze, scraping up any stuck-on bits. Stir fry for another 2 minutes. Add the pork and any juices back to the wok, along with the sauce mixture. Stir-fry to combine until the pork and onions are glossy and coated. 
  5. Plate over steamed rice and garnish with scallion slices, if using. Serve immediately.

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Adapted from a recipe for Woks of Life

Peruvian-Style Arroz con Pollo

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According to America’s Test Kitchen, there are many versions of chicken and rice across Latin America; Peruvian Arroz con Pollo stands apart thanks to the addition of cilantro purée and aji Amarillo paste. The tender chicken and savory rice has underlying heat from the pepper paste; and the rice should be moist but not mushy. The accompanying sarza criolla should provide a bright, punchy counterpoint to the rich chicken and rice. It is a nice accompaniment, but we felt not necessary.

Suggestions: This is usually made with the Peruvian beer, Cusqueña Negra, but any smooth, malty beer such as Modelo Negra, New Castle Brown Ale, or Sam Adams Boston Lager will work.
Ají amarillo paste, made from yellow Peruvian chiles, is available in supermarkets or online. The spice level can vary between brands; taste before using. If it’s mild (or if it’s spicy and you prefer a spicier dish) use the full 2 tablespoons. If you’re sensitive to spice, use the lower amount.
It is important to measure the liquid in the Dutch oven after cooking the chicken to ensure you have the proper amount for cooking the rice; do not skip this step.
If using, make the sarza criolla (see recipe below) while the rice cooks.

Peruvian-Style Arroz con Pollo

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups (2 oz.) fresh cilantro leaves and stems
  • ½ cup water
  • 4-6 bone-in chicken thighs, trimmed
  • 2 ¼ tsp. table salt, divided
  • ¾ tsp. pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 1 red onion, chopped fine
  • 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
  • 1-2 Tbsp. ají amarillo paste
  • ½ tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 ½ cups dark beer
  • 2 cups chicken broth, plus extra as needed
  • 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into ½-inch-wide strips
  • 2 carrots, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces (1 cup)
  • ½ cup frozen peas
  • 1 recipe Sarza Criolla (recipe follows)

Directions

  1. Process cilantro and water in blender until cilantro is finely chopped and very loose puree forms, about 1 minute, scraping down sides of blender jar as needed; set aside.
  2. Pat chicken dry and season both sides with 1 ½ teaspoons salt and pepper. Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add chicken, skin side down, and cook, without moving, until well browned, 8 to 12 minutes. Using tongs, flip chicken and brown on second side, about 2 minutes. Transfer chicken to large plate.
  3. Add onion, garlic, chile paste, cumin, and remaining ¾ teaspoon salt to fat left in pot and cook, stirring often, until onion is softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add beer, scraping up any browned bits, and cook until mixture is almost dry, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in cilantro puree and return chicken to pot, skin side up (chicken will be almost entirely above surface of puree).
  4. Adjust heat to simmer, cover, and cook until chicken registers at least 195 degrees, 18 to 20 minutes.
  5. Using tongs, transfer chicken to clean plate. Transfer cooking liquid in Dutch oven to 4-cup liquid measuring cup (you should have about 1 ½ cups). Add enough broth to measure 3 ½ cups. Return broth mixture to pot and stir in rice, pepper, and carrots. Bring to boil, adjust heat to simmer, cover, and cook until rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
  6. Off heat, stir in peas (browning at bottom of rice is OK). Arrange chicken on top of rice and pour any accumulated juices into pot. Cover and let stand until peas and chicken are warmed through, 5 to 10 minutes. Serve, passing sarza criolla separately.

Sarza Criolla
Makes about 2 cups

Thinly sliced onions are key to this accompaniment; use a mandoline, if possible.

Ingredients

  • 1 red onion, halved and sliced through root end 1/16 inch thick
  • ⅛ tsp. table salt, plus salt for salting onion
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 Tbsp. lime juice
  • ⅛ tsp. pepper

Directions

  1. Toss onions and ½ teaspoon table salt in strainer or colander set over bowl. Let stand for 10 minutes. Rinse onions under cold water and pat dry.
  2. Combine onions, cilantro, lime juice, pepper, and salt in bowl. (Sarza criolla can be made up to 1 hour ahead).

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Recipe as tested for ATK’s Cook’s Illustrated

Skillet Green Chile Chicken

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This is a vibrant, Tex-Mex-inspired one-pan dish that layers bold, smoky flavors with creamy richness. The sauce is the heart of the dish — a silky, bright green salsa verde built from broiled and charred tomatillos, onion, and poblano chiles. Roasting them under the broiler first adds deep smokiness and sweetness before they’re blended with fresh cilantro and garlic into a tangy, herbaceous sauce that bubbles away in the skillet as the chicken bakes.

The chicken is butterflied and stuffed, so each breast opens like a book to cradle a slice of cream cheese and thin strips of the second roasted poblano. The cream cheese melts into a luscious, mild filling that contrasts beautifully with the chile’s subtle heat. Both sides of the chicken are seasoned with a warm spice rub of chili powder, cumin, and coriander, providing a savory, earthy exterior.

The finish is what elevates it — the whole skillet goes under the broiler after baking, blanketing the chicken in melted, golden-spotted pepper Jack cheese that adds a sharp, spicy pull to every bite. At the table, cool sliced avocado and a squeeze of fresh lime cut through the richness, while extra cilantro keeps that fresh green note alive throughout.

The overall experience is deeply savory and smoky with layers of mild heat, creamy pockets, tangy brightness from the tomatillos, and just enough richness from the two cheeses to make it feel indulgent — all in a single skillet.

We took the easy way out and used Trader Joe’s Salsa Verde in lieu of making it from scratch, saving a chunk of time and decreasing the number of ingredients. In fact, since we like “saucy” dishes, we used two jars, which also provided enough to top our side of Mexican rice.

NOTES: While it isn’t an exact substitute, 1 1/2 cups of your favorite jarred salsa verde can be used in place of the homemade version. Char one pepper as the recipe describes for the chicken filling. The green chile sauce can be made up to three days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container. Simply reheat gently in the microwave or stove before continuing with the recipe.

Skillet Green Chile Chicken

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 8 oz. fresh tomatillos, husks removed and rinsed
  • 2 large poblano chiles (about 9 oz. total)
  • 2 garlic cloves, unpeeled
  • 1 small yellow onion, unpeeled and cut into 6 wedges
  • 2 tsp. canola oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. ground coriander
  • 2 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, divided
  • 4 8-oz. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, patted dry 
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro (tender leaves and stems included), plus more leaves for garnish
  • 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 4 oz. pepper Jack cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
  • 1 ripe avocado, sliced
  • Pickled jalapeño slices for garnish, optional
  • Lime wedges

Directions

  1. Preheat broiler with a rack 6 inches from heat source. Arrange tomatillos, chiles, garlic cloves, and onion wedges on a large rimmed baking sheet covered with foil. Drizzle vegetables evenly with oil. Broil until charred, about 12 minutes, flipping vegetables halfway through cooking time. Remove and discard charred papery skin from onion. Transfer vegetables and juices to a medium bowl, and cover using plastic wrap; let steam 10 minutes. Heat oven to 425°F.
  2. Meanwhile, stir together chili powder, cumin, coriander, and 1 3/4 teaspoons salt in a small bowl. Arrange chicken breasts on a cutting board; slice each breast horizontally through the middle to within a 1/2-inch of other side. Open chicken breasts, and sprinkle evenly with 2 teaspoons spice mixture.
  3. Once vegetables are steamed, remove and discard garlic and chile peels. Transfer peeled garlic, 1 peeled chile, tomatillos, onion, and any accumulated juices to a blender; add cilantro and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt. Secure lid on blender, and remove center piece to allow steam to escape. Place a clean towel over opening; process until smooth, about 30 seconds. Pour into a large ovenproof skillet. Set aside.
  4. Slice remaining peeled chile lengthwise into thin strips. Cut cream cheese into 4 equal slices; place 1 slice on one-half of each butterflied chicken breast. Top evenly with sliced chile, and close chicken breast. Sprinkle remaining 2 teaspoons spice mixture all over chicken; nestle stuffed breasts into sauce in skillet.
  5. Bake until sauce is bubbly and a thermometer inserted into thickest portion of breasts registers 160°F, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove skillet from oven, and increase oven temperature to broil.
  6. Sprinkle chicken and sauce with cheese. Broil until cheese is melted and starting to brown in spots, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from oven, and garnish with avocado, additional cilantro and pickled jalapeño slices. Serve with lime wedges.

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Adapted from a recipe by Breana Lai Killeen for Food and Wine

Sunday Sauce

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Though there is nary a drop of Italian blood in either of us, we do nurture a love affair with good Italian cuisine. In many Italian American households, Sunday means there’s red sauce simmering all day on the stove. It might be called sauce, sugo or gravy, and surely every family makes it differently, but the result is always a tomato sauce rich with an abundance of meat.

Some recipes are less about the cooking and more about the ritual — the low simmer that fills the house for hours, the wooden spoon that never quite gets put away, the whole family finding their way to the kitchen. This is one of those recipes. A proper Sunday Sauce built on shreddy pork shoulder, Italian sausage, and tender meatballs, slow-cooked until everything melds into something deeply savory and rich. Make it on the stovetop or let the slow cooker do the heavy lifting while you get on with your Sunday.

When it’s ready, toss pasta through the sauce until every strand is coated, spoon the meat generously on top, and bring it to the table with a green salad, plenty of crusty bread, and a good red wine. It’s a meal that’s meant to be shared, and shared unhurriedly. Any leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze beautifully for up to three months — though in our experience, it rarely makes it that far.

In the end, once we removed the meat, the sauce seemed too thin. We therefore covered the bowl of meat with tinfoil and put it in a 200°F oven to keep warm. To thicken the sauce, we added a 1/4 cup of double-concentrate tomato paste and let it simmer for 30-40 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Ideally you would want to add the tomato paste at the end of Step 2 (before adding the crushed tomatoes), cooking it about 2 minutes until it starts to darken.

Sunday Sauce

  • Servings: 6-8
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. boneless pork shoulder, cut into 3-inch chunks
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
  • 1 lb. hot or sweet Italian sausage, or a combination
  • 1 yellow onion, coarsely chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
  • ⅓ cup red wine
  • 1⁄4 cup tomato paste (see head note)
  • 2 28-oz. cans crushed tomatoes
  • 3 basil sprigs
  • 1 lb. uncooked homemade or store-bought meatballs
  • 1½ lbs. tubular or long noodles, like rigatoni or spaghetti
  • Grated Parmesan or pecorino, for serving

Directions

  1. Season the pork shoulder all over with salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium high. Working in batches if necessary, cook the pork until browned on two sides, 8 to 10 minutes total, adding more oil if the pan looks dry. Transfer pieces to a bowl as they finish. Add the sausages to the pot and cook until browned, 4 to 6 minutes total. Transfer to the bowl.
  2. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, if needed, and the onion and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, and cook until softened, 2 to 4 minutes. Add the red wine, stir, scrape up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan and cook until the wine is nearly evaporated, 2 to 4 minutes. If using, add the tomato paste, stirring occasionally until it darkens, about 2 minutes more.
  3. Add the tomatoes and basil, then fill one of the 28-ounce cans with water. (You’ll use it in a second.) Return the pork shoulder and sausages to the pot, along with any accumulated juices in the bowl. Nudge them around so they are submerged. Add the meatballs on top, then add enough water from the can to cover the meat. (There’s no need to stir.) Partly cover the pot, bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pork shoulder falls apart when shredded with a fork, about 2½ hours.
  4. When you’re ready to eat, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente. While the pasta cooks, slice the sausage and shred the pork shoulder. Transfer to a platter along with the meatballs and a few spoonfuls of sauce. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and add the pasta to the pot of sauce. Over medium heat, toss the pasta with the sauce, adding pasta water as needed until the sauce clings to the pasta.
  5. Divide pasta between bowls, then top with a bit of each meat. Pass the Parmesan and platter of meat at the table.

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Adapted from a recipe by Ali Slagle for NYTimes Cooking

Harissa-Roasted Salmon with Lemon, Olive and Parsely Relish

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Quick and easy with few ingredients are welcome words for a weeknight meal. The fact that it is also tasty and visually appealing doesn’t hurt matters.

Harissa, the North African spice paste considered a pantry staple, adds flavor to salmon fillets along with garlic and lemon juice. After roasting, the fillets are served with a simple three-ingredient relish made by combining parsley, lemon zest and chopped green (or black) olives. The bold, zingy intensity of the herbal garnish is used to balance the fattiness of the salmon.

Our piece of salmon weighed in at 1 pound and we therefore left it intact instead of sizing down into 4 separate fillets. (Yes, this did extend the roasting time a bit.) While we served ours with steamed broccoli and a side salad, you could also pair with couscous and perhaps a cucumber or tomato salad.

Harissa-Roasted Salmon with Lemon, Olive and Parsely Relish

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp. harissa paste
  • 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 3 medium garlic cloves, finely grated
  • 1 Tbsp. grated lemon zest, plus 2 tsp. lemon juice, plus lemon wedges to serve
  • null Kosher salt
  • 4 6-oz. center-cut skin-on salmon fillets (each 1 to 1¼ inches thick), patted dry
  • 1/2 cup lightly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley OR cilantro, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup pitted green OR black olives, roughly chopped

Directions

  1. Set a wire rack in a rimmed baking sheet and mist it with cooking spray. In a small bowl, stir together the harissa, 1 tablespoon oil, garlic, the lemon juice and 1 teaspoon salt. Place the salmon skin side down on the rack. Rub the harissa mixture onto the top and sides of the fillets. Let stand at room temperature while the oven heats.
  2. Heat the oven to 450°F with a rack in the middle position. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together the parsley, olives, the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, the lemon zest and ¼ teaspoon salt.
  3. Roast the salmon until the flesh flakes easily and the harissa mixture has deepened in color, 12 to 14 minutes. Serve the fillets with the parsley-olive mixture and lemon wedges.

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Adapted from a recipe by Dimitri Demopolous for Milk Street

Italian Bean, Barley and Vegetable Soup

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This is a rustic, deeply satisfying Italian soup inspired by the zuppa d’orzo e fagioli of Treviso, in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. Here’s what makes it special:

The beans do double duty. Cannellini beans are pureed with their canning liquid to create a silky, creamy broth that feels rich without being heavy — a clever technique that builds body naturally. Then plumper, meatier Roman beans (borlotti/cranberry beans) are stirred in near the end for textural contrast and substance.

Barley gives it soul. Pearl barley is a traditional addition in this part of Italy — it’s starchy, chewy, and filling, making the soup feel like a true meal rather than a starter.

The greens add color and nutrition. Curly kale is the preferred choice here for its tender texture, though lacinato (Tuscan) kale (our choice) works too with another four or five minutes of simmering time.

The flavor profile is earthy and savory — the kind of soup that tastes like it’s been simmering all afternoon, with layers built from humble pantry ingredients.

Overall, it’s a cucina povera (“poor kitchen”) style dish — simple, nourishing, and deeply flavorful — the sort of thing an Italian grandmother might make on a cold winter day, stretching inexpensive ingredients into something truly memorable. It would pair beautifully with crusty bread and a drizzle of good olive oil on top.

TIP: Don’t use whole-grain or quick-cooking barley. The former requires an extremely long cooking time, and the latter lacks the heartiness and chew of pearled barley.

Italian Bean, Barley and Vegetable Soup

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: moderately easy
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Ingredients

  • 1 15½-oz. can cannellini beans
  • 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more to serve
  • 1 medium carrot, peeled, halved lengthwise and cut into ¼-inch half-rounds
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 medium celery stalk, chopped into ¼-inch pieces
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh sage
  • 1 6-inch rosemary sprig
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup pearled barley
  • 1 quart low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 15½-oz. can Roman beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 small bunch curly kale, stemmed and sliced into thin ribbons (about 6 cups)
  • Finely grated Parmesan or pecorino Romano cheese, to serve

Directions

  1. In a blender, combine the cannellini beans with their liquid and 2 cups water. Blend until smooth, about 30 seconds.
  2. In a large saucepan over medium, combine the oil, carrot, onion, celery, garlic, sage, rosemary and ½ each teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the barley, followed by the pureed cannellini beans and the broth. Bring to a simmer over medium-high, then reduce to medium and cook, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until the barley is al dente, 25 to 30 minutes.
  3. Stir in the roman beans and kale. Return to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until both the kale and barley are tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Off heat, taste and season with salt and pepper. Remove and discard the rosemary. Serve the soup drizzled with additional oil and sprinkled with cheese.

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Recipe by Rose Hattabaugh for Milk Street

Broken Lasagna Noodle Soup with Spinach

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Lasagna has always been more about the layering of flavors than the layering of sheets — and this soup makes that case decisively. Italian sausage goes into the pot first, browning until the fat renders and the fond builds on the bottom of the pan; that’s your flavor foundation.

Broken lasagna noodles go in rough and ragged, and as they cook they shed just enough starch to pull the soup toward something richer — thicker than a broth, looser than a sauce, with that silky, clingy quality that makes you want to chase every noodle around the bowl.

An almost full tube of double-concentrated tomato paste blooms directly in the sausage fat, turning deep brick-red and caramelizing at the edges before a pour of chicken broth lifts everything into a broth that tastes like it simmered for hours. (You can use regular tomato paste, but the flavor will be milder.)

Fresh spinach wilts in at the end, barely needing a minute. The finishing move is a generous spoonful of seasoned ricotta dropped straight into each bowl, where it softens at the edges and slowly folds into the broth — the same creamy counterpoint it’s always provided, just without the oven and the longer wait time.

TIP: The pasta will continue to absorb liquid as the soup sits, causing it to thicken. If making ahead, reserve the noodles until reheating; drop them into the bubbling broth just before serving and cook until al dente, adding splashes of water as necessary to thin the broth.

Serve with crusty garlic toast and a side salad to round out the meal.

Broken Lasagna Noodle Soup with Spinach

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 lb. hot or sweet Italian sausage, (casings removed if in links)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, plus more
  • 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 4.5-oz. tube double-concentrated tomato paste (about ½ cup)
  • 4 cups chicken broth, preferably homemade
  • 10 oz. dried lasagna noodles (about 10 noodles), broken into 2″–3″ pieces
  • 1 cup whole-milk fresh ricotta
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 5 oz. fresh baby spinach

Directions

  1. Heat 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in a medium Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high. Arrange about 1” pieces of 1 lb. hot or sweet Italian sausage, casings removed, in pot in a single layer. Cook, undisturbed, 3 minutes, then continue to cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon or heatproof rubber spatula, until browned all over and just cooked through, 3–4 minutes more. Using a slotted spoon, transfer sausage to a plate. (Depending on the size of your pot, you may have to do this in two batches.)
  2. Place 1 medium onion, chopped, in same pot and season with kosher salt. Cook, stirring often, until slightly softened and starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Add 5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced, and one 4.5-oz. tube double-concentrated tomato paste (about ½ cup) and cook, stirring often, until paste is starting to stick to pot and has darkened significantly, about 3 minutes. Pour in 2 cups water, scraping up any browned bits stuck to bottom of pot.
  3. Pour in 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth and add 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Add 10 oz. dried lasagna noodles (about 10 noodles), broken into 2”–3” pieces, and cook, stirring often, until very al dente, about 9 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, place 1 cup whole-milk fresh ricotta in a small bowl and season with salt and freshly ground pepper; mix well.
  5. Stir another 2 cups water into soup (it will have thickened up by this point); return sausage to pot. Reduce heat to low and cook just until meat is warmed through, about 5 minutes. Remove pot from heat and stir in 5 oz. fresh baby spinach; season soup with more salt and pepper if needed.
  6. Ladle soup into bowls. Top each with a dollop of ricotta mixture and season with more pepper.

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Adapted from a recipe by Rebecca Firsker for Bon Appétit

Spanish Garlic Chicken (Pollo al Ajillo)

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Pollo al ajillo is a classic Spanish garlic chicken dish that’s bursting with robust, savory flavors. The recipe highlights the rich aroma and taste of garlic, using 10 cloves to infuse the chicken with a deep, fragrant essence. This weeknight garlic chicken recipe cooks in one large skillet. And because it uses boneless, skinless chicken thighs, it’s ready in just over 30 minutes.

The chicken pieces are browned in olive oil until golden and crispy on the outside. Then, whole garlic cloves are gently sautéed along with bay leaf and fresh thyme sprigs, which add an earthy, herbal note to the dish.

Once the chicken has developed a beautiful color and the garlic is softened but not burnt, a splash of white wine is added. The white wine not only deglazes the pan, lifting all the flavorful browned bits but also imparts a subtle acidity and complexity that balances the richness of the garlic and chicken.

The chicken is returned to the pot and simmers for about 10 minutes in this fragrant mixture, absorbing the combined flavors. The dish is finished with a generous garnish of freshly chopped parsley, adding a bright, fresh contrast and a pop of color.

It is astonishingly flavorful considering the small number of ingredients! The result is a beautifully aromatic, tender, and juicy chicken with a garlicky punch, complemented by thyme’s herbal aroma and the wine’s delicate acidity—a beloved staple of traditional Spanish home cooking perfect for serving with crusty bread, rice or potatoes.

Served with a roasted carrot and hazelnut side dish and Spanish rice.

Spanish Garlic Chicken (Pollo al Ajillo)

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 10 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 cup dry white wine 
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 small bunch fresh thyme sprigs
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions

  1. Season the chicken. Pat the chicken dry and season all over with salt and pepper. Lightly coat both sides with the flour and shake off any excess.
  2. Sear the chicken. In a large heavy-bottomed skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high until shimmering but not smoking. Working in batches if necessary, cook the chicken until golden, about 4 minutes per side. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
  3. Make the sauce. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the wine and use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits stuck to the pan. Add the bay leaf and thyme, and return the chicken and any accumulated juices. Once the sauce comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and cook for 10 minutes.
  4. Finish and serve. Uncover the pan and increase the heat back to medium-high. Cook, uncovered, until the sauce has reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat. Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Garnish with the parsley. Serve with the pan sauce drizzled over top.

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Adapted from a recipe by Mark Beahm for The Mediterannean Dish

Stir-Fried Pork with Snow Peas and Shiitake Mushrooms

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Ground pork is an underrated stir-fry protein — it browns quickly in a hot wok, rendering just enough fat to become the cooking medium for everything that follows. Here, it shares the pan with crisp-tender snow peas and meaty shiitake caps, a combination that hits every textural note: silky, snappy, and substantial all at once.

A streamlined mixture of oyster sauce and soy sauce delivers deep, salty-sweet umami without any heavy lifting, and a cornstarch slurry pulls it all into a glossy, cling-to-the-pork coating that carries the flavors through every bite.

Scallions whites wilt slightly and add a mild, grassy note. The finish is a splash of rice vinegar — just enough brightness to cut through the richness and make the whole dish feel alive. Spoon it over jasmine rice and set out the chili-garlic sauce or sriracha for anyone who wants heat.

A few things we did differently was use our well-seasoned wok instead of a skillet. The amount of snow peas came in a 6-ounce packet so we included all of them; plus we doubled the garlic. The black pepper was switched out for white pepper which has a different flavor profile, more of a bite if you will.

And as far as the scallions, we stir-fried the white pieces along with the snow peas and mushrooms thinking they would have been too raw if added at the very end; then garnished the finished dish with thinly-sliced scallion greens.

TIP: Don’t brown the pork over high heat. Cook it more gently over medium, breaking the meat into fine bits with a wooden spoon, until some of the pieces are crisped and caramelized, which adds texture and flavor to the stir-fry.

Stir-Fried Pork with Snow Peas and Shiitake Mushrooms

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp. oyster sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. neutral oil
  • 1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 lb. ground pork
  • 4 oz. snow peas, trimmed, cut into thirds (smaller ones halved) on the diagonal
  • 8 oz. shiitake mushrooms, stemmed, caps sliced ¼ inch thick
  • 1 bunch scallions, whites cut into 1-inch pieces; greens thinly sliced on a diagonal for garnish
  • 2 Tbsp. unseasoned rice vinegar

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, whisk the oyster sauce, soy sauce, cornstarch, ½ teaspoon pepper and ½ cup water. In a 12-inch skillet (or wok) over medium, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the ginger and garlic; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  2. Add the pork and cook, breaking the meat into small bits, until crisped, about 10 minutes. Spoon off and discard all but 1 to 2 tablespoons of the fat.
  3. Add the snow peas, mushrooms and scallion whites. Cook over medium, stirring, just until the vegetables are heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk the sauce mixture to recombine, then stir it into the pork-vegetable mixture. Cook, stirring, until the sauce simmers and thickens, 1 to 2 minutes.
  4. Off heat, stir in the vinegar. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Plate over steamed rice and garnish with scallion greens.

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Recipe from Rose Hattabaugh for Milk Street

One-Pot Chorizo Noodles

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The genius of this unusual dish is its economy — one pot, about 35 minutes, and a pantry-friendly ingredient list that produces something that tastes far more considered than the effort involved, complete with a luxurious mouth-feel.

The technique is essentially pasta cooked risotto-style. Rather than boiling the spaghetti in a separate pot of salted water and draining it, you cook it directly in the seasoned broth, and as the noodles absorb the liquid and release their starch, the remaining broth transforms into a loose, clingy sauce that adheres to every strand. The chorizo’s rendered fat and chile-and-spice juices have already been absorbed into that liquid, so the pasta is flavored from the inside out, not just dressed on top.

A couple of things to watch: stir early and stir often once the pasta goes in — spaghetti has a talent for clumping and sticking in the first few minutes before it softens and separates. And pull it while it still has a touch of bite; the noodles will continue to absorb sauce as they sit on the platter.

Adding half of the scallions off the heat and reserving half for garnish is a simple but smart move — you get both the mellow, wilted depth of cooked scallion woven through the pasta and the fresh, sharp bite of raw scallion on top.

This would be nicely complemented by a simple side of sliced avocado or a squeeze of lime at the table, which would cut through the richness of the chorizo fat beautifully. Add a crisp side salad to round out the meal.

NOTES: Mexican-style chorizo is a fresh, raw, heavily spiced sausage — not the cured Spanish variety. The two are not interchangeable here. Mexican chorizo renders its fat and spiced juices directly into the pot, becoming the flavor backbone of the entire dish.
Our chorizo was precooked, so once we removed the casings, we chopped up the links and then browned them in the pot — no need to further break up the meat.

One-Pot Chorizo Noodles

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 lb. Mexican-style chorizo sausage, casings removed
  • 1 cup finely chopped onion
  • ½ tsp. table salt
  • ½ tsp. pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 12 oz. spaghetti
  • 3 scallions, sliced thin, divided

Directions

  1. Melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in Dutch oven over medium heat until foaming. Add 1 pound Mexican-style chorizo sausage, casings removed, and cook, stirring frequently and breaking up meat into ½-inch pieces, until just starting to brown, 2 to 3 minutes.
  2. Add 1 cup finely chopped onion, ½ teaspoon table salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add 4 cups chicken broth and 2 cups water and bring to boil over high heat. Add 12 ounces spaghetti and continue to boil, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until pasta is al dente and most liquid has evaporated so pasta is coated in slightly thickened sauce, 12 to 14 minutes. 
  3. Off heat, stir in 1½ thinly sliced scallions. Transfer to serving platter and garnish with remaining 1½ thinly sliced scallions. Serve.

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Adapted from a recipe by Erica Turner for Cook’s Illustrated

Normandy Chicken with Apples

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Poulet Vallée d’Auge, a rustic braise that marries chicken with apples, Calvados, hard cider and cream. As it is classically known in English, Normandy Chicken with Apples smells like an autumn orchard, although it is a meal that is welcomed anytime of year.

The sequencing of the apples is the real ingenuity of this recipe. By pulling them out after a brief sauté and not returning them until the sauce is nearly finished, you preserve that sweet-tart brightness — they taste of apple rather than dissolving anonymously into the braise. It’s a small act of restraint that makes a big difference in the bowl. Keeping them unpeeled helps the wedges hold their shape through the brief sauté. Their early removal and late return is the key to bright, distinct fruit flavor in the finished dish. (If you prefer softer apples, cook them a few minutes longer in Step 2.)

The uncovered Dutch pot in the oven is also worth trusting. It’s counterintuitive — braising usually means lid on, low and slow — but the oven’s dry, ambient heat does something a stovetop lid cannot: it keeps the skin taut and golden while the liquid below gently simmers and reduces. You get crispness and succulence in the same bite.

One practical note: when you nestle the chicken back in for the oven braise, make sure those skin surfaces are genuinely sitting above the braising liquid, not totally submerged in it. You can use a combination of thighs and breasts (we just used thighs).

Braised recipes with apples tend to be considered a Fall/Winter dish. However, since good apples are available any time of year, there is no reason not to make the meal in the Springtime. (Hot summers, maybe not the best time.) It is lovely served over buttered egg noodles or alongside crusty bread to catch the cream sauce.

Calvados is an aged apple brandy produced in Normandy. If it is not available, domestic apple brandy is a fine substitute, as is applejack. As for the hard cider, use one that is dry, not sweet, and do not replace it with nonalcoholic cider or apple juice, both of which are too sugary.

TIP: Don’t aim for deep browning on the chicken, apples or mushrooms. Light to medium caramelization at all stages is desirable here. The gentle flavors in the braise are easily overwhelmed by aggressive searing.

Oh, and because we ADORE shallots, the amount was doubled from 2 to 4, and it was perfect!

Normandy Chicken with Apples

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 2½ – 3 lbs. bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and/or breasts, trimmed and patted dry, breasts halved crosswise if larger than 12 oz. each
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. neutral oil
  • 4 Tbsp. salted butter, cut into 1-Tbsp. pieces, divided
  • 2 medium crisp, sweet-tart apples, such as Honeycrisp or Gala (about 12 oz.), unpeeled, halved, cored and cut into ½-inch-thick wedges
  • 8 oz. cremini mushrooms, trimmed and quartered
  • 2 medium shallots, cut into ¼-inch-thick wedges (root ends intact)
  • 1/4 cup Calvados or other apple brandy (see headnote)
  • 12 oz. bottle dry hard apple cider (see headnote)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, to serve

Directions

  1. Heat the oven to 425°F with a rack in the lower-middle position. Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven over medium-high, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the chicken skin side down, in batches if needed to avoid crowding; cook, reducing the heat if needed, until light golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the pieces skin side up to a large plate. Pour off and discard the fat from the pot.
  2. To the now-empty pot, add 2 tablespoons butter and heat over medium until just melted. Add the apples and cook, stirring, until lightly golden and starting to soften, about 3 minutes (or a few minutes longer if you prefer softer apples). Transfer the apples to another plate; set aside.
  3. Return the pot to medium and melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Add the mushrooms, shallots and ½ teaspoon salt; cook, stirring, until the vegetables begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and add the Calvados. Return to medium-high and cook, scraping up the browned bits, until syrupy, about 2 minutes. Add the cider, bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.
  4. Off heat, return the chicken skin side up to the pot and add the accumulated juices. Place uncovered in the oven and cook until the thickest part of the breasts (if using) reaches 160°F or the thickest part of the thighs (if using) reaches 175°F, 20 to 25 minutes.
  5. Transfer the chicken to a platter. Return the pot to medium-high and stir in the apples and cream. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce lightly coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Off heat, taste and season with salt and pepper. Spoon the sauce and vegetables around the chicken. Sprinkle with the parsley.

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Recipe adapted by Courtney Hill for Milk Street