Simple Cooking

Believe it or not, watermelon and feta make a great pairing. Toss in some hot chili peppers and cilantro and you have a salad to delight everyone who tries it. Buy seedless watermelon for this—you won’t be disappointed when you try it.

This smoothie transports you to the tropics with the mango and pineapple. I usually make it in my Chicago kitchen on a rainy day when I need some bright flavors.

Summer squash forms the base of this play on ratatouille, with pan-seared eggplant and cherry tomatoes rounding things out.

This is simply the most tender, succulent chicken you can eat—thanks to the yogurt marinade, which is a great tenderizer. These skewers are wonderful grilled, but broiling under high heat is delicious too. If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 15 minutes before using them, so that they don’t burn before the chicken is cooked.

A spoonful of toum elevates any steamed or roasted vegetable, or pasta or grains—or use it as a dipping sauce for good bread.

Calico beans are a satisfying cross between chili, baked beans, and a sloppy joe filling. Full of a homemade barbecue-style sauce, these calico beans are meaty, tangy, salty, and deliciously perfect for any barbecue, picnic, or potluck you are heading to!

Start cooking them right before dinner, and these boozy peaches will be ready just in time for dessert.

Tender, tangy, and accented with just a hint of bourbon, these slow-cooker–cooked ribs are messy, saucy, and perfect for devouring over a long weekend.

Cognac, cream, curry powder, and clarified butter all combine to make an intoxicating sauce for this heritage recipe for pan-seared ham steaks.

Serve this spicy-sweet sauce with thick-cut fried potato wedges, or use it as a glaze for pan-seared chicken thighs.

This naturally gluten-free cake is impressive enough for special occasions but secretly easy enough to make in less than an hour.

Turn any vegetable into a flavorful, spicy pickle with this simple kimchi technique.

Chop these Calabrian-style chiles into pasta sauce or sprinkle onto pizza.

Slice these and mix with cured meats for a fresher take on antipasto salad.

Combined with coconut milk, it’s the base for your next Thai curry.

There are a lot of aioli recipes out there. This one uses a coddled egg instead of raw, and the blender method ensures a successful emulsion.

Red chiles are the best for drying.

Splash liberally on fried eggs, toss with grilled veg, or spread on a sub.

I love crunchy fennel and peppery arugula dressed with a slightly sweet dressing made from Meyer lemons—a fresh-tasting pick-me-up. Meyer lemons are only available in the wintertime, so if you can’t find them, use regular lemon juice and replace a third of it with fresh orange juice.