Today's cover · American · Side
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 6Difficulty:intermediate
Cook tonight
The recipes that get food on the table fastest — weeknight favourites first, then whatever cooks quickest.
American · SoupDifficulty: easy
Cool, creamy, and refreshing, this Avocado & Cucumber Soup is the perfect appetizer or light summer lunch. Ripe avocados and chilled cucumbers blend into a silky base with yogurt, lemon, and a hint of Worcestershire sauce for depth. Finished with a fresh garnish of diced cucumber, avocado, tomato, and basil, this vibrant soup is best served ice-cold with a drizzle of olive oil and crusty bread on the side.
Total time:20 minServings:serves 4
Vegetarian
The collection at a glance
Every number below is a published recipe, a cook who wrote one, or something in the pantry — nothing padded.
19
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2
170
Cuisines
Categories
Latest additions
The most recently written recipes, freshest first.
AmericanDifficulty: intermediate
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
The cooks
The recipes here are written by the people who actually make them.
19 published recipes
American · SoupDifficulty: easy
This recipe has been a cherished part of our family for generations, passed down by word-of-mouth from my Grandma. As a child, during the cold winter months, I eagerly awaited her visits during Christmas. I used to beg her to make this simple yet flavorful dish, perfected with hearty chunks of tender beef, fresh vegetables, and warming stock. It’s an ultimate comfort meal, reminding you of cozy family gatherings during frosty evenings. Ideal for enjoying on a cold rainy night or curled up by the fire during the winter season, this soup embodies love, tradition, and a taste of home.
Total time:45 minServings:serves 5
WeeknightOne-PotWinter+2 more
Russell Toris@russelltoris
American · MainDifficulty: easy
This mac & cheese recipe takes me back to countless childhood evenings and family meals. Originally from a mail-in magazine offer decades ago, this dish has stood the test of time as a family favorite. The sauce is reminiscent of a silky, decadent béchamel, elevated by sharp cheddar for a tangy, rich flavor that coats every bite. Perfectly cooked pasta is lovingly mixed in, creating a dish that's creamy, cheesy, and utterly soul-warming. Whether it's for a kid-friendly get-together, a quick weeknight meal, or a special occasion, this timeless classic never fails to bring joy to the table.
Total time:45 minServings:serves 6
VegetarianWeeknightBaked+2 more
Russell Toris@russelltoris
Spanish · MainDifficulty: intermediate
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
Russell Toris@russelltoris
Spanish · SauceDifficulty: intermediate
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
Russell Toris@russelltoris
American · AppetizerDifficulty: easy
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
Russell Toris@russelltoris
Spanish · MainDifficulty: intermediate
A comforting, deeply seasoned Puerto Rican-style chicken and rice made in one pot with salt pork, cured ham, sweet peppers, culantro, olives, capers, tomato, and achiote. The chicken marinates in a garlicky oregano seasoning before slowly cooking with the rice, allowing every grain to absorb the savory flavors of the caldero. Peas and pimientos add the classic finishing touches to this generous, family-style meal.
Total time:1 day 1 hrServings:serves 8
One-Pot
Russell Toris@russelltoris
American · SauceDifficulty: easy
This Buttermilk Ranch Dressing is a creamy, tangy, fridge-friendly version of classic restaurant-style ranch. Made with mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, dried herbs, garlic, onion, dill, and black pepper, it has the familiar ranch flavor people expect, but with a fresher, more balanced homemade taste. The dried herbs make it reliable and pantry-friendly, while a short chill gives them time to soften and bloom into the creamy base.
Total time:1 hr 5 minServings:serves 12
VegetarianNo-Cook
Russell Toris@russelltoris