Recipes

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

This peach galette is sweet, flaky and topped with a wonderful kick of chile. As the galette cooks, the peaches nestle themselves into the pistachio frangipane, flavoring the rich, nutty filling as they release liquid. Lightly crushed cardamom seeds bring bursts of flavor to both the frangipane and the chile syrup, adding even more warmth to the dish. Using almond flour and buttermilk in the pastry imparts a wonderful nuttiness, and acidity too. For a perfectly flaky pastry, a scale provides the most accurate measurements when weighing out the butter and flour. Try to resist taking a slice as soon as the galette comes out of the oven: The galette develops in flavor as it rests, which is worth the wait.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

This chilled noodle dish is extremely refreshing on a hot summer’s day. Corn, shiitake mushrooms and tomatoes simmer with water to make a vegan take on dashi that is packed with umami. The buckwheat noodles have a lovely nutty flavor, adding depth to the dish, but feel free to try with different noodles, such as thin wheat noodles (somen) or rice noodles. The dashi is extremely light and clean, while the toppings add bursts of flavor. The balance between sweet, salty and sour is very delicate, so be sure to be somewhat pedantic when measuring for seasoning. You can get ahead by making the dashi a day in advance and chilling it overnight.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

This sweet potato soup is both fresh and hearty, with layers of flavors and textures throughout. The sweet potato brings an autumnal warmth, brightened by handfuls of fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice added just before serving. Feel free to swap the sweet potato for pumpkin or any winter squash — this soup is versatile — and use small pasta shapes like orzo if you don’t have bulgur on hand. The topping and soup can be cooked a day in advance, but you’ll want to add the herbs and lemon juice when ready to serve in order to optimize their bright notes.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

Packed full of umami, roasted mushrooms and tomatoes are coated in a fresh, fragrant Sichuan chile oil and served on top of creamy polenta in this midweek dinner hit. The oil can be made ahead, and will continue to develop in flavor. Make extra, as you’ll want to drizzle it over your eggs in the morning. Try using a variety of mushrooms — some oyster mushrooms torn into chunks, or portobellos cut into thick slices — but do make sure to slice them to the same thickness so that they cook evenly as they roast. The mixture is perched on a very simple polenta, but feel free to add butter, milk and cheese to it for a bit of extra indulgence.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

There’s nothing quite like the smell of ham roasting with clementines and cloves to announce the holidays. Taking inspiration from Claudia Roden’s orange and almond cake, which uses boiled oranges for moisture and flavor, this recipe steams clementines alongside the ham, then blends them into a sweet mustard sauce to pour over the meat. The result is a sweet, sticky, spiced glaze coating the ham, plus extra pooling at the bottom of the pan. Any excess turns into a clever sandwich condiment to dress any leftover ham.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

The warmth of a winter minestrone brings comfort as the seasons transition. Minestrone — vegetables, beans and pasta — shouldn’t be too strict and this recipe can be used as a guide. Cabbages become plentiful in cold weather and are celebrated in this dish, used first to flavor the soup, then whizzed into a pesto to spoon on top. Spinach can be swapped for chard, pasta for rice, black beans for chickpeas or other beans; just take account of any necessary adjustments to their cook times. This version uses black beans (as opposed to more traditional cannellini or borlotti beans) for their small size and rich flavor. They nestle nicely among the other vegetables without dominating the soup, adding wonderful nuttiness and depth alongside the cabbage.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

Silky and comforting, this dish draws inspiration from a Persian barberry khoresh (stew). In this adaptation, traditional chicken gives way to tofu, creating a vegan dish while preserving the inherent sweet-sour balance emblematic of Persian cuisine. Caramelized onions, carrots and oranges add sweetness, while the distinctive tartness is achieved through the addition of barberries, small red berries prized equally for their high acidity and their jewel-like appearance. They deepen to a rich red when cooked. Barberries can be hard to find — you could check your favorite specialty shop, or order them online — or simply substitute cranberries plus the addition of an extra teaspoon of vinegar. Sweet, sour and saucy, this tofu dish is best enjoyed with a side of rice.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

Drawing inspiration from the classic Italian American chicken Parmesan, this twist layers za’atar-breaded chicken with a cumin-and-allspice-infused tomato sauce and a satisfyingly salty topping of melted halloumi cheese. Broiling the cheese-topped chicken instead of simply baking shaves off some time. A final lashing of both cream and za’atar oil strikes a perfect balance between robust flavors and the comforting essence of the original dish. Serve alongside a crisp green salad or indulge further with a side of garlicky spaghetti to soak up any remaining spiced tomato sauce.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

Grilling asparagus brings out its natural sweetness and adds delightful charred notes. Here, the asparagus is doused in a salty, nutty and umami-rich olive, pine nut and miso dressing. This recipe calls to cook the asparagus in a grill pan, but you can instead opt for a cast-iron skillet or set your asparagus on an outdoor grill. You can also achieve similar flavor by popping the asparagus into the broiler or roasting at the highest temperature your oven can reach. A touch of dill adds a fragrant note, enhancing the overall aroma of the dish, but feel free to omit, or use other soft herbs that you have on hand, like chives. Eat alongside a roast chicken, or incorporate into a spring salad spread.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

Though creamy, mashed beans provide the foundation, the frizzled onion mixture is the true star of this dish. Cooked quickly over high heat, with layers of garlic, cumin and preserved lemon, these onions are sweet and salty, rich and acidic, making this a surefire hit with minimal effort. Canned butter beans are then briefly cooked in the fragrant frizzled onion oil before being mashed (or blended, if you prefer a smoother texture) to create the perfect base. If you can’t get your hands on preserved lemons, fresh lemon pulp and finely sliced zest can be used; just be sure to add an extra pinch of salt, too. This makes for a great side or dip, or spread it on pita and use as a filling for the ultimate chicken or cauliflower shawarma.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

This deceptively simple salmon dish is as striking in flavor as in appearance, and will serve just as well for a dinner party centerpiece as a quick midweek dinner. The salmon is covered in a punchy black lime marinade, then baked in the oven and topped with fresh bursts of sour cream and grated tomato. Black limes (also known as Omani or Persian limes) are limes that have been boiled in salt water before being dried and blackened in the sun. They have an intensely sweet, citrusy flavor, with a hint of bitterness. Serve this salmon alongside a bowl of rice.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

This tomato pasta is a testament to simplicity: Just toss all the sauce ingredients into a roasting pan and let the oven — and pool of olive oil — gently simmer and “confit” the rest while you prepare your pasta. The stars of this dish are the ancho chile, slowly releasing a subtle smoky spice as it softens in the oil, and the strips of lemon peel, which sweeten as they cook. Heirloom tomatoes add wonderful fragrance and variety, as some break down into the sauce while others remain firm, adding textural contrast. This recipe is incredibly versatile: Swap the ancho chile for a long red chile and a teaspoon of smoked paprika, for example, or use other types of tomatoes if they are easier to come by. Foolproof in method and bursting with flavor, this dish is a perfect addition to any midweek repertoire.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

This salad is somewhat of a New York style fattoush. Bagel pieces are tossed with olive oil, nuts and everything seasoning, then toasted in the oven to make supersavory, crunchy croutons. These are tossed through a green chopped salad with crispy lettuce, green bell pepper, scallions, cucumber, herbs and a zingy lemon dressing. The salad is rounded off with a base of tahini yogurt, adding a creamy, tangy finish that ties everything together. Perfect as a light lunch or a unique side dish, this salad is both wholesome and indulgent, offering layers of textures and flavors in every bite. Whether you’re a fan of bagels or crisp, textural salads, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

Inspired by Greek shrimp saganaki, this dish combines wonderfully sweet shrimp, tomatoes and feta with subtly smoky dried Mexican chiles. The aromatics — cherry tomatoes and garlic, plus an assortment of dried and fresh chiles — simmer and confit in oil in the oven, with shrimp and feta added toward the end of cooking, broiling quickly, to create a wonderfully oozy, charred dish. It’s a simple, one-pan weeknight meal that cooks in just 30 minutes. This recipe allows flexibility in your choice of chiles; whichever you choose, the gentle confiting of the chiles releases their flavors, adding nuanced heat to complement the bright and tangy tomatoes and feta. You can switch out the ancho chile for pasilla chile, or dial up the heat with a fruity Scotch bonnet. Enjoy this dish straight from the pan, mopped up with a piece of crusty bread. Any leftovers can be easily turned into a show-stopping pasta sauce, making this recipe a versatile addition to any recipe collection.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

As the seasons shift, each brings its own type of comfort food, and this hearty dish adapted from “Ottolenghi Comfort” (Ten Speed Press, 2024) is a perfect fit for autumn. The butternut squash lends a gentle sweetness, which is beautifully contrasted by the sharpness of tamarind and the creamy richness of coconut, creating a warm and comforting stew. The recipe calls for Thai or Vietnamese tamarind concentrate for its tangy-sweet flavor. While tamarind purée or paste can be used as substitutes (see Tip), you’ll want to avoid any tamarind concentrates that use both the pulp and seeds, which produce a much darker, more sour, molasses-like product. If you don’t have a sauté pan handy, a pot or casserole dish works just as well for this recipe. Serve with naan, flatbread or a side of simple steamed basmati rice for a truly satisfying meal. Like most stews, the flavors deepen with time, making it ideal for leftovers.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

Full of surprises, this sweet, savory, spiced slaw is a perfect festive side that’s quick to make. Shredded cabbage, fennel, scallions, mandarin oranges and a whole lime create a fragrant base that gets tossed with a crunchy spiced oil seasoned with makrut lime leaves, coriander and cumin. The spiced oil is made first, so it has time to cool before dressing the slaw; you’ll have time to slice your salad ingredients while the hot oil cools. The toasted spices add a fragrant crunch to sprinkle on top. Makrut lime leaves add an extraordinary citrusy aroma with a slightly floral note that makes the slaw truly special. If you can’t find them, substitute with an extra fresh lime. The slaw is best served right away, but can be enjoyed the next day; just strain any liquid and refresh with a few tablespoons of olive oil.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

This sticky date and pecan pudding is a decadent dessert that combines the best of both the classic sticky toffee pudding and a self-saucing pudding. A light, airy batter is topped with a layer of pecans, butter, date molasses, sugar and water. As the cake batter rises, the butter and sugars dissolve and settle on the bottom of the dish to create a moist cake crowned with perfectly roasted pecans and a rich toffee sauce beneath. Served fresh from the oven with a dollop of sour cream, this pudding delivers a delightful combination of sweet, salty and tangy flavors in every bite. While you can bake it all in one go, this recipe is designed for convenience, so you can assemble it ahead of time then pop it into the oven to bake while you enjoy your meal. This ensures it’s served at its best, warm and fresh from the oven, as this cake is at its most delicious when the sauce has just stopped bubbling beneath.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

On busy weeknights when you crave comfort, these vegetarian meatballs are the answer. Texture is the star of this recipe. The combination of halloumi, zucchini and couscous creates the perfect balance, as the mixture is dry enough to be formed into balls and fried; it’s also light and fluffy yet sturdy enough to be cooked in rich tomato sauce. Fresh herbs add a vibrant touch, enhancing the dish’s overall lightness. For a classic “Lady and the Tramp” moment, serve these over a tangle of spaghetti. They also pair beautifully with couscous or bulgur, or a fresh green salad. This crowd-pleasing vegetarian dish just might make you forget its more traditional meaty predecessor.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

This easy chicken sheet-pan supper brings bold, warming flavors with minimal fuss. Tossed with ras el hanout, the chicken roasts alongside potatoes, sweet peppers and chickpeas, creating a richly flavored dish that practically makes its own sauce. The sheet pan may look crowded, but everything melts beautifully together as it cooks. The peppers, potatoes and chickpeas simmer gently in the oil, while the chicken sits halfway in, its skin staying crispy as the juices mingle below. Any chickpeas peeking out get delightfully crisp, while the rest confit in the oil, becoming soft and smooth. A finishing drizzle of sherry vinegar adds a bright, tangy kick, balancing the warm spices and bringing out the dish’s deep roasted flavours. Best of all, the prep is simple, and the oven does the rest, making this perfect for a cozy midweek dinner that still feels special.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

Inspired by a warmly spiced Persian stew traditionally made with peas and tomatoes, this version allows the sweetness of the peas and the warmth of onions, ginger, cumin and turmeric to lead. It tops the pea stew with a fresh pea topping made from a portion of the just-cooked peas, plus crushed sesame seeds and chopped cilantro, all of which add vibrant color and texture when sprinkled over the stew just before serving. A drizzle of yogurt on top brings a cooling contrast. Serve the stew alongside steamed rice, pita or other fresh warmed flatbreads.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

There’s something deeply satisfying about a slow-roasted lamb that requires minimal effort but delivers big reward. This version, rubbed with cumin, salt and a touch of sugar, falls effortlessly off the bone, its richness perfectly complemented by a sticky-sweet sauce of roasted grapes and bright lemon. The rub lightly cures the lamb, enhancing its flavor in just 30 minutes before roasting; the flavor develops further as the lamb roasts. After three hours of cooking, the heat is turned up and the grapes are added, caramelizing and releasing their juices, which commingle with the lamb juices in the pan, resulting in a glossy sauce that clings to the lamb. Pair it with crispy potatoes, a sharp green salad, or lean into the spiced undertones with fragrant rice. However you serve it, this slow-cooked lamb is the kind of dish that feels both special and effortless, perfect for gathering around the table.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

This nearly effortless salad is full of flavor and makes for a striking table centerpiece. A creamy, tangy yogurt and sour cream dressing is studded with fragrant basil, chives and dried mint, then spooned into crisp, fresh lettuce cups. Parmesan brings a rich umami depth to the dressing, while a scattering of Urfa chile flakes add a smoky finish. Equally stunning as a snackable appetizer, handy enough to be scooped up without a plate, or a light, elegant starter to be consumed with a fork and knife, this dish is ideal for entertaining, as it’s quick to assemble and guaranteed to impress.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

Like any carb cooked in a tomato sauce, this dish is deeply comforting. Pearl couscous simmers in a spiced tomato base, absorbing its rich flavors while developing a lightly golden, crispy bottom, much like a tahdig. Just before the couscous finishes cooking, sea bass fillets are gently steamed on top, staying tender as they soak up the fragrant sauce. A final flourish of hot garlic oil, inspired by Cantonese steamed fish, adds warmth and depth. This meal is easy enough for a weeknight, but special enough for a celebration.

Yotam Ottolenghi · NYT Cooking

This dessert is all about deep, sultry flavors: the warmth of rum, the smoky sweetness of muscovado sugar and the buttery richness of caramelized peaches. The peaches are pan-roasted until golden and tender, then finished with a luscious cream made from Greek yogurt and mascarpone, topped with a scattering of sugar that slowly melts into a delicate crunch. The result is a beautiful contrast of hot and cold, sweet and tangy, smooth and crisp, with toasted sesame and sea salt adding just the right amount of intrigue. A simple, elegant way to let summer’s best fruit shine. If making in advance, prepare all the elements but don’t assemble right away. When ready to serve, warm the peaches over medium heat for five minutes, then add the toppings.