Recipes

Corby Kummer · NYT Cooking

Corby Kummer · NYT Cooking

White chocolate does not engender feelings of neutrality; typically, one either loves or hates it. These truffles, adapted from the pastry chef and cookbook author Nick Malgieri, are unapologetically sweet and rich, everything one loves (or hates) about the controversial ivory sweet. This ingredient list is short (just five!), but quality is key. Skip the supermarket white chocolate chips and invest in a good brand like Valrhona or Callebaut. Corby Kummer

Corby Kummer · NYT Cooking

Corby Kummer

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

Roasted cauliflower is a pure delight, but tossing it with feta, toasted almonds and olives makes it even better. The additions come together while the cauliflower roasts, allowing you to assemble this side in no time. If almonds aren't available, walnuts or hazelnuts are good substitutions. This dish works well served warm, but it's equally good at room temperature if you want to make it ahead. Serve with grilled pork chops or pan-seared chicken thighs with lemon and herbs, or fold it into cooked grains, such farro or rice, for a hearty grain salad.

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

Roasting brussels sprouts brings out their nutty sweetness and keeps them crisp-crunchy around the edges. Tossing them with walnuts and tangy, jewel-like pomegranate seeds adds texture and brightness. It’s worth seeking out pomegranate molasses (widely available in most large grocery stores) to finish this dish. But if you can't find it, don’t let it stop you from make this celebration-worthy side.

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

Roasting gives broccoli an incredible texture and crunch, and it softens and sweetens the bite of the scallions. This is paired with a highly addictive vinaigrette that is a play on the classic Thai dipping sauce prik nam pla. If you’re lucky enough to find yourself with leftovers, spoon it over roast fish, chicken or even plain white rice.

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

Zippy lemon zest and mildly spicy Aleppo pepper are tossed together with warm roasted chickpeas for a satisfying snack, which pairs well with everything from a gin and tonic to a cold beer. Tossing the dried, toasted beans in oil after they roast helps gives the pepper and lemon something to adhere to. If you’re not having cocktails, these can be used in a salad in place of croutons or anywhere you want some crunch. If you don't have Aleppo pepper, red-pepper flakes make a fine substitute.

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

This simple roast chicken combines the classic fall flavors of maple and rosemary with melted butter, which is basted over the bird as it cooks to keep it juicy. The butter browns slightly and helps caramelize the outside thanks to the sugars in the maple syrup. The result is a fragrant, sweet-and-salty chicken that makes the house smell great. There will be plenty of buttery pan juices left over, which you should most certainly pass around the table, but they would also be delicious spooned over rice pilaf.

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

In this quick meal, sautéed spinach flecked with ginger, chile and garam masala are paired with eggs and used to top toasted pitas spread with turmeric yogurt. The pitas were chosen for their uniform size, but naan or flatbread would work equally well; you want something sturdy to stand up to the moisture of the yogurt and spinach. An olive oil-fried egg tops this dish, but if you prefer poached have at it — that runny yolk is a key element.

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

Consider this a heartier version of the classic Italian dish “eggs in purgatory,” which works well for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It’s also very forgiving. If you’d rather keep this a vegetarian meal, skip the sausage. No chickpeas? No problem. Any white bean will work well in its place. Same with the greens. Use what you have (anything that wilts works). Sprinkling the dish with grated cheese before serving is not required, but it sure does taste good. Serve with thick slices of toasted sesame bread slathered with plenty of softened butter.

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

This fall-inspired, earthy pasta uses a combination of mushrooms for depth of flavor and is topped with a runny egg, which silkens up the sauce. Supermarkets these days generally have a good selection of different varieties such as cremini and shiitake, but if your standard white-button mushroom is all that’s available, this dish will still be a winner. If you’re not feeling pasta, the mushrooms are equally good served on top of creamy polenta or on their own. Red wine not optional.

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

These flavorful stuffed mushrooms come together quickly, which makes them great for entertaining. Crunchy panko bread crumbs, instead of the traditional sort, are combined with salty cheese, parsley and garlic, then spooned into mushroom caps and baked until crisp and golden. You can assemble them through Step 2 a few days in advance and pop them into the oven minutes before guests arrive. Pro tip: Don’t throw away the mushroom stems. Freeze them to add to your next pot of stock for unbeatable richness.

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

This comforting Greek baked pasta, which bears a striking resemblance to lasagna, derives its name from the Italian word “pasticcio.” That translates to English as “a mess,” indicating the forgiving, flexible nature of the dish. Many traditional pastitsio recipes call for beef –– which you can certainly use here –– but we use ground lamb for a fresh take on a classic (and many cooks prefer a combination). Because kefalotyri cheese and the long tubular noodles traditionally used in pastitsio can't be found in most American supermarkets, we substituted Parmesan and ziti in their place, but by all means, if you can get your hands on the real things, use them. The noodles and spiced meat sauce are layered in a casserole dish then topped with a creamy béchamel sauce and baked until golden. It’s project cooking that’s perfect for a cold winter’s night.

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

There's no shortage of richness in this casserole. Here, three types of cheese and heavy cream result in something luxurious and comforting, perfect for colder weather. Make sure to drain and dry the blanched cauliflower well, since excess water could break the creamy sauce and make it separate. Serve as a side with any braised or roasted meat or, for a vegetarian dinner, balance it with a salad tossed with a bright, lemony vinaigrette.

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

Smoky bacon and cabbage are a classic Eastern European combination, but tossing them with pasta and a bit of cream takes them in a heartier direction. Use a short, curvy shape, such as cavatappi or fusilli, that can catch the silky sauce in its crooks. Red cabbage is called for here, but regular green or Savoy cabbage would also work well. Top any leftovers with a fried egg and, of course, extra grated cheese.

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

Pangrattato, or bread crumbs in Italian, is the secret star of this dish. When mixed with sweet pistachios, bright lemon zest and fresh mint, it makes for a crunchy, flavorful topping that pairs well with garlicky shrimp and linguine. The citrus and herbs provide welcome complexity to an otherwise simple dish. Serve with a shaved vegetable salad of fennel, radishes and Parmesan.

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

This forgiving pasta makes for a hearty vegetarian dinner that arrives with salad in tow. The sweet, buttery crunch of hazelnuts and the salty, rich blue cheese balance the bitter crisp of the radicchio. If you don't have hazelnuts, any toasted nut like almonds or walnuts will do. If you’re not going meatless, crisp up a little pancetta before you add the radicchio or serve the pasta as a side to accompany roast chicken or pork.

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

There’s no need to order takeout from your neighborhood restaurant when this beloved, easy-to-assemble Italian-American classic gets dinner on the table in no time. Adding pancetta brings a salty smokiness, but if you leave it out, you’re still in for a quick and flavorful dish. If you’re feeling ambitious, the pasta is delightful with Caesar salad or garlic bread, but it’s also satisfying enough to take centerstage. Put on some Puccini, open up a bottle of red and you’re guaranteed a more relaxed dining experience than the one you might get at the local red-and-white checkered-tablecloth joint.

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

Fresh ginger along with plenty of earthy spices like turmeric and coriander add complexity to this otherwise unassuming lentil soup. The dish is perfect for a weeknight as the legumes here cook fairly quickly. Pairing the lentils with bold, warming spices gives them a big boost of flavor in a short amount of time. To make the soup feel extra special, toast coconut flakes for a crunchy topping, and put out bowls of roughly chopped cilantro, thinly sliced scallions and lime wedges, so guests can top their soup as they please. If you’re feeling ambitious, a topping of fried shallots seasoned with flaky salt would also be nice.

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

For a weeknight salmon that’s impressive enough for entertaining, look no further. Salty miso paste and sweet maple syrup are the backbone of this simple, flavor-packed marinade, which is about as involved as this uncomplicated recipe gets. Here, the fish soaks up the sauce as the oven gets hot, and the snappy green beans roast in the same amount of time as the fillets. Start some rice when you walk in the door and you’ll have dinner on the table in under a half hour.

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

Why fuss with reservations when you can have your own bistro night at home? Hanger steaks are readily available, quick cooking and full of flavor. In this recipe, the steaks are seared, then slathered in blue cheese butter and served alongside an endive and radish salad dressed in a citrus vinaigrette, a perfect complement to the rich steak. This very special dinner comes together in about 30 minutes. If you'd like, toss baby potatoes with a little olive oil, salt and pepper and pop them into the oven to roast while you prepare the steak and salad.

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

In this 30-minute recipe, harissa, ginger and orange are combined to create a vibrant, spicy marinade for rich salmon fillets. The potatoes and red onion get a jump-start roasting, while the fish takes a quick dip in the marinade. Then the salmon is added to the sheet pan so everything finishes cooking together. This meal looks impressive right on the pan, so serve it from there and cut down on cleanup. You’ve got better things to do.

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

Although usually designated as a “something special” ingredient, scallops make a perfect weeknight dinner because they cook in minutes. To get a good, crisp sear, be patient (it's hard for us, too) and let the pan get quite hot before adding the scallops. Once you do, leave them alone to ensure a deeply golden crust. Toss them with pasta and candy-colored cherry tomatoes that burst and get coaxed into a jammy sauce. Finish with a showering of fresh, tender herbs and a drizzle of olive oil.

Colu Henry · NYT Cooking

This quick, one-pan meal relies heavily on pantry staples. Browning pancetta or bacon adds richness to the tomato sauce, but skip it if you like. Anise-flavored fennel and seeds are incorporated into the soffritto, which plays nicely with the sweetness of the shrimp and the creaminess of the beans. But if you don’t like them, leave them out. Serve the dish in deep bowls with thick slices of garlic-rubbed toast, finish the dish with a flurry of fresh herbs, and pair it with a glass of something red, light and bright.