Simple Cooking

Why spend all of that money on a breakfast bowl that you can easily make at home? This hearty, gluten-free bowl takes just minutes to throw together and is absolutely delicious.

There are many ways to make beet soup, the most well-known of all being borscht, the hearty Russian classic that also contains veggies like potatoes and cabbage. Beet soup can be eaten cold, so we like to make it with more delicate flavors and puree it. Here, the ginger beautifully balances the beet, and the coconut milk adds a nice fat component. We find citrus finishes this dish perfectly, so we garnish it with a bit of orange.

Store-bought puff pastry makes these savory "elephant ears" an easy bite-sized appetizer for your next party.

A zesty lobster salad instantly turns avocado toast into an elegant and cocktail party–worthy hors d'oeuvre.

This fresh take on tabbouleh eliminates the bulgur entirely and uses the golden seeds of millet instead, which give a nutty, cornlike taste to the salad. (Here's how to master millet). But it's really all about the green herbs: Feel free to add too many!

This classic French spiced bread is great for sweet toast in the morning, or it can be sliced thinly and served with pâté for a pretty party appetizer.

This steaming version of the classic vodka, cream, and coffee cocktail is especially appealing in winter.

Even in its simplicity, there's something about this buttery almond cake that just feels special. Baking it in a pie dish allows for you to serve it straight out of the vessel, whether for breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack, accompanied by nothing but a steaming cup of coffee or tea.

Make this impressive but easy bark for a holiday gathering, gift-giving, or festive snacking.

Two types of rum double the fun in this citrusy punch. If you can't find kumquats, add another orange.

Hanger steak is the king of what I call weeknight steaks, casual cuts of leanish meat that deliver delicious flavor without a lot of expense or fuss. The skinny strip of flesh tastes best cooked hard and fast, for a crispy char on the outside, and left nice and pink inside. Slice it with a significant slant across the grain for the best eating texture. If you can find a grass-finished hanger steak, you’ll get leaner meat and a higher proportion of healthy lipids, such as omega-3s and CLAs. The bad news: hanger steak—or onglet, as it is sometimes known—can be hard to find. Even my regular butcher runs out somewhat frequently. Don’t fret—just substitute flank steak.

These cookie jar classics are crunchy but with a little chew, the taste a buttery blend of nutty toasted oats and sweet raisins . . . What more could you ask for? Take them on picnics and pack them in kids' lunch boxes.

These sparkly cookies take classic gingerbread and turn up the volume with three variations of ginger and a decadent cream cheese filling.

Add a blast of bright citrus to your weekend with this Italian-style tart.

It doesn't get simpler—or more elegant—than crème fraîche and caviar tartlets alongside a glass of sparkling wine.

Pure maple syrup and a few pantry basics make this easy, sweet-spicy sausage sing.

The leftovers from this wholesome, spiced-up chicken dinner are just as good as the meal itself.

Your blender does most of the work for you to make this decadent mousse: no eggs, no double boiler, no extra fuss. It's the perfect make-ahead dessert for an impressive holiday meal.

Coconut oil adds an extra punch of coconut flavor, while an egg white adds extra crunch to this granola.

We've made this classic French spread even easier by using smoked salmon in place of the more traditional poached fish.