Simple Cooking

Part of what makes this salad so great is the dynamic textures; the cracker-like baked lavash croutons and the crunchy cucumbers and radishes contrast with the creamy feta and soft herbs.

Large chunks of pork shoulder are braised in a Vietnamese-style caramel sauce (made from a combination of fish sauce and palm sugar) that’s laced with Thai chilies, ginger, garlic, and shallots. Serve the fork-tender meat with plenty of rice and some sautéed pea shoots or greens.

This recipe gives you bite-sized doughnuts with none of the wait. Use any type of jam to fill them or simply eat them plain.

This sparkling alcohol-free drink—sweetened with a ginger and coconut-sugar syrup—is the perfect way to feel refreshed on a summer day.

These tacos are perfect finger food, combining tasty jackfruit with a Mexican combo of zingy salsa and creamy guacamole.

These chicken skewers are my take on buffalo wings. Instead of wings, I use thighs, and instead of buffalo sauce, I use sriracha topped with blue cheese crumbles to give it that extra salty, cheesy kick. These skewers are super quick and easy to throw on the grill. And because they’re made with dark meat, they’re extremely tender and flavorful.

Cider vinegar, honey, and bone broth mixed with fresh or frozen cherries makes a sweet, sour, and deeply savory sauce that pairs well with easy broiled lamb chops.

Sour cream and lemon zest combine for a sprightly sauce that complements smoked salmon in this 30-minute one-pot meal.

Spicy sausage, farro, and leeks simmer with white wine and herbs. A scattering of fresh radishes and scallions makes this simple dinner feel fresh and springy.

Cooked, puréed zucchini adds rich, creamy body to this easy, summery soup.

This deep maroon cocktail has a hint of cherry cola, but a subtle, spicy, and not-too-sweet flavor.

A day-old loaf of good bread can reach new heights when it's thick-cut and pan-fried in olive oil. We top these giant croutons with steamed clams or mussels, sink them into brothy soups, and crumble them over big salads. But this dish, a saucy little mix of beans, greens, and garlic, gives us a reason to look forward to Meatless Monday.

If you don’t have za'atar on hand, dried mint is equally delicious infused into hot oil.

Cucumbers are practically all water, so you gotta dress them like you mean it. This hot, sweet, and tart dressing will have them covered.

You can slice the cauliflower any direction you like, just be watchful of your fingertips on the mandoline and work over a bowl to catch all the bits of flying florets.

If you have ever peeled, seeded, and sliced cucumbers for salads, this recipe will hopefully change your mind. Smashing the cucumbers augments the vegetable's ability to absorb seasonings.

The sweet, spicy, and tart flavors in this coconut-turmeric relish make it a perfect match with cauliflower.

Humble white vinegar does double duty here, tenderizing chicken thighs while giving them a tart flavor accentuated by a super-easy charred lemon–garlic sauce.

Make a batch of grains on Sunday and you're within striking distance of a winning dinner on any weeknight (and lunch al desko for days). Case in point: This easy stir-fry, which, when combined with the trusty #putaneggonit, is irresistible. We use kimchi juice to finish; it keeps the grains moist and gives the dish a kick.

Thick-cut planks of roasted cauliflower make for a stunning vegetarian entrée, especially when dressed with a sweet-and-spicy, chutney-like relish.