Homemade Apple Cider

American · SideDifficulty: intermediate

Butternut Squash & Vanilla Risotto

A creamy risotto with tender butternut squash, Parmesan, and the subtle warmth of vanilla. Crisp sage adds a savory, aromatic note that pairs naturally with the squash while keeping the vanilla restrained and balanced.

Total time:35 minServings:serves 6

VegetarianFallWinter+2 more

AmericanDifficulty: intermediate

Rich Roasted Beef Stock

A deeply flavored beef stock built almost entirely in the oven rather than simmered all day on the stovetop. The bones are roasted until deeply browned, followed by onions, carrots, celery, optional leek tops, and tomato paste before water and aromatics are added directly to the roasting pan. Several hours of slow roasting concentrate the stock while gelatin-rich bones give it body, producing about a gallon of rich, savory stock well suited to soups, braises, gravies, and sauces.

Total time:6 hr 30 minServings:serves 8

Spanish · MainDifficulty: intermediate

Puerto Rican Christmas Pernil

A traditional-style Puerto Rican Christmas pernil made with bone-in, skin-on pork shoulder seasoned with garlic, oregano, black pepper, olive oil, vinegar, and salt, then marinated overnight and slow-roasted until tender. The pork is finished at high heat so the exterior becomes deeply roasted and the cuerito turns crisp and blistered. This version stays close to an older Puerto Rican Pernil al Horno seasoning profile while adapting the preparation to the skin-on pork shoulder commonly served for Christmas.

Total time:1 day 6 hrServings:serves 8

HolidayRoastedWinter

Spanish · SauceDifficulty: intermediate

Puerto Rican Sofrito

Puerto Rican cooking became meaningful to me through my partner, who first got me interested in the dishes, flavors, and home-cooking traditions behind the food. Sofrito quickly became one of the staples I wanted to understand rather than simply reproduce, so I started comparing older Puerto Rican recipes with the fresh blended versions more common today and eventually landed on this one: onion, green pepper, ají dulce, garlic, cilantro, culantro, oregano, oil, and optional cured ham, cooked down before freezing for a deeper, more savory flavor. It is practical enough to portion into cubes and keep on hand, but still rooted in the kind of traditional cooking that made me want to learn Puerto Rican food in the first place.

Total time:45 minServings:serves 12

Meal Prep

American · AppetizerDifficulty: easy

Grandma’s Famous Mini Cocktail Meatballs

These mini cocktail meatballs have been the star of our holiday gatherings for as long as I can remember. Guests would often ask for—and secretly hope for—this classic appetizer at every family get-together. These tender, bite-sized meatballs are coated in a perfect, slightly tangy sauce that captures the essence of 1970s-style entertaining. Served with toothpicks for easy snacking, these meatballs are simple to prepare yet deliver unforgettable flavor. The kind of dish that effortlessly bridges nostalgia and timeless joy, it’s perfect for any occasion, from celebrations to casual gatherings.

Total time:30 minServings:serves 6

HolidayPartyOne-Pot+1 more