Pork chops in mushroom cream sauce is what I hand people who think pork chops are dry and boring, because it ends that argument in one bite. Thick chops seared to a golden crust, then simmered in a silky sauce of buttery mushrooms, onion, a whisper of Dijon, and a full cup of cream until … Read more
This ground beef stroganoff is the from scratch classic, no condensed soup in sight: a pound and a half of beef browned with onions and garlic, mushrooms cooked down in butter, a savory broth base with a splash of Worcestershire, and sour cream stirred through at the end for that signature tangy creaminess. Served over … Read more
Meatloaf and mashed potatoes casserole solves the best argument in comfort food: why choose between meatloaf and mashed potatoes when one dish can hold both? A tomato rich meatloaf layer pressed into a baking dish, crowned with garlic chive mash, and baked at 375 degrees until golden and cooked through to the middle. Every serving … Read more
Beef and broccoli stir fry is the takeout order you can beat at home: thin sliced flank steak seared fast in a screaming wok, broccoli blasted until it is crisp tender and charred at the edges, and a glossy soy brown sugar sauce with garlic, ginger, and sesame that thickens around everything in about two … Read more
Loaded beef nachos are the dinner that makes everyone appear out of nowhere, drawn by taco beef and melting cheddar. A sheet pan of crispy tortilla chips layered with seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and jalapenos, baked at 400 degrees until the cheese bubbles, then showered with salsa, sour cream, and avocado the second … Read more
Shepherd’s pie with ground beef is the casserole that wears a crown of clouds: savory beef and vegetables simmered in a rich tomato Worcestershire gravy, spread into a 9×13, blanketed with buttery mashed potatoes, and baked at 375 degrees until the cheddar melts and the top turns golden and bubbly. Every forkful crosses three layers, … Read more
Swedish meatballs over egg noodles is the dinner I make when I need the kitchen to smell like somebody loves me. Tender beef and pork meatballs seasoned with warm allspice and nutmeg, simmered in a silky cream gravy until plush and glossy, then piled over buttery egg noodles with parsley on top. It is cozy … Read more
Stuffed bell peppers with rice and meat are the dinner that eats like a present: six whole bell peppers, tops off and seeds out, filled with a savory mix of seasoned ground beef, tender rice, and tomato sauce, then baked at 350 degrees under a blanket of sauce until the peppers turn silky and the … Read more
Baked ziti with three cheeses is the dinner I turn to when the day was long and the table needs a hug you can serve with a spoon. Ziti folded through garlicky marinara, layered in a 9×13 with creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan, then baked at 375 degrees until the top turns golden and the … Read more
Pot roast with carrots and potatoes is the Sunday dinner that defines the word: a three to four pound chuck roast seared deep, then braised covered in a Dutch oven at 325 degrees for three to four hours with chunked carrots, quartered potatoes, and a savory broth perfumed with rosemary, thyme, and bay. The meat … Read more