Our Official List of the Best Food Network Kitchen Recipes

We don’t like to brag, but when it comes to the chefs and recipe developers in our test kitchen, well, that’s a different story. They’re truly the best around—and we’d gladly devour anything they cook up. That’s why this is one of our favorite recipe roundups of all-time. From weeknight solutions (think, ideas for chicken breast or salmon) to irresistible desserts (hello, brownies and chocolate chip cookies!) you’ll find all their best recipes right here—ones that have been tested, tweaked and absolutely perfected. Family-favorites like macaroni and cheese or Sloppy Joes, comfort food cravings like meatballs or cozy soups and time-honored classics like stuffed peppers or quiche—if you’re hungry for it, you’ll find the best recipe for it right here. Wondering where to start? You can never go wrong with good, old-fashioned chicken and rice, especially our version that’s made in just one skillet. We use bone-in, skin on chicken thighs which cook up in exactly the same time as the rice to guarantee juicy chicken. A quick broil at the end creates the perfect crispy skin and gives a little crunch to the rice and vegetables.

A slightly lighter version of the all-American classic, this satisfying meatloaf uses chicken broth and soaked panko to stay moist, and a mix of fresh herbs for flavor. It’s the best turkey meatloaf you’ll find!

We've made this classic easier and faster by using the microwave to par-cook the peppers, saving you about 45 minutes of cook time! This is a great recipe to use up leftover rice. Be sure to really pile in the filling (mounding it is ok) as it will shrink as it cooks.

A staple throughout Texas, chicken-fried steak consists of a thinly pounded beef cutlet that is battered and fried until crisp, then served with creamy country gravy. Adding cornstarch to the seasoned flour and dredging the meat twice gives our version an extra-crunchy and flavorful crust.

The problem with most blueberry muffins is there are never enough blueberries. But for the batter to support the weight and moisture of the berries, it needs to have an airier texture than most dump-and-stir muffin recipes. So, we creamed the butter for that extra lift and to prevent the blueberries from making the batter gummy.

Cheesy potatoes are perfect for any gathering—you've most likely seen them at family holidays, birthday parties and even funerals (they are often referred to as “funeral potatoes”). We spent days perfecting the BEST version—testing fresh vs. frozen potatoes and coming up with the perfect from-scratch sauce that doesn't rely on canned soup as its base. In the end, fresh potatoes won the competition, thanks to the creamy soft texture they provide and the way they soak up the silky smooth, rich homemade sauce. Of course, plenty of Cheddar tops it all off, as well as cornflakes for toothsome crunch.

This simple baked salmon really hits all the right notes: tangy, sweet, savory, a little spicy and crunchy. Cooking a larger piece makes for a nice presentation. Topped with buttery golden breadcrumbs and parsley, it's perfect for a weeknight dinner yet fancy enough to serve to guests.

We skipped the white sugar and went all in with dark brown sugar, which gives our cookies the ideal chewiness and perfect level of sweetness. Paired with the right amount of semisweet chocolate chips, this treat is a definite winner. The recipe makes a lot of cookies, but in our opinion, this is never a problem!

The secret to a flavorful pot roast is browning the meat and onions before roasting, which adds a rich meaty flavor and caramelized sweetness. This step is what separates our recipe from many others that use a slow cooker. And also unlike a slow cooker recipe, our sauce is simmered to reduce a little which concentrates the flavors. What you'll end up with is a roast that's fall-apart tender with a velvety sauce and delicious vegetables.

Perfectly fried beer-battered food is irresistible when hot and right out of the oil. But what makes this beer batter a head above the rest? First is the quintessential crunch--we find that a mix of all-purpose flour, rice flour and cornstarch keeps the breading light and crisp. Next is the subtle flavor of the beer—we opt for a lager-style beer for its refreshing flavor and hint of hops (and the bubbles help leaven the batter for even lighter texture and crunch). And there’s no need to dip your fish or vegetables in flour first—we find it unnecessary and worse, it gums up the inside of the breading. A quick dunk in this batter and a deep fry in hot oil results in delicious golden morsels time and time again—from crispy onion rings to fried fish.

For our simple and iconic shortcake, we discovered a great double-stacking technique that creates super light and high biscuits that are easy to split. This makes them easy to fill without crumbling. A simple recipe like this one allows its ingredients to shine, so use the very best berries you can find.

Perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner, this traditional French quiche is filled with crispy bacon, soft, sweet onions and nutty Gruyere, all nestled in a tender pastry crust. You do need to refrigerate the dough twice, but it's worth it. The pastry is extra buttery and keeping it chilled makes it easier to work with and results in a light flaky crust.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that the best Caesar salad is also the most traditional version. That means it's time to bring out the anchovies and eggs — and don't skimp on quality Parmesan cheese. We've even included garlicky homemade croutons to balance the tangy dressing.

Scrambled eggs might sound basic, but the "best" scrambled eggs have a little something extra. With a few small tweaks and the right technique and temperature, you'll have a breakfast dish that's fluffy, creamy and so silky — anything but basic!

When we set out to create the best cutlets, we sought perfectly tender chicken that was flavorful and juicy (not tasteless and dry) with a crisp, breaded exterior that stayed put and didn't get soggy. After trying different methods, we found that a mix of panko and Pecorino Romano creates the salty, crunchy crust we crave, while dried spices in both the flour and breadcrumb mixtures ensure that our cutlets are never bland.

This is a classic tahini-forward, bright and lemony hummus, and is similar to what you would find in Israel. We tried this recipe with from-scratch dried chickpeas as well as with canned, and the flavor and texture were only marginally better with the freshly cooked. And we saved 24 hours of prep time! So for a creamy, satisfying 15-minute hummus, we're going with the can.

This is weeknight comfort food at its finest. We created a homemade sauce that is tangy and flavorful but also quick and easy. We used both ketchup and canned tomato sauce for lots of tomato-y zip and just a touch of brown sugar for a bit of sweetness and slight caramel finish. Green bell pepper is a key addition; it really enhances the other ingredients, elevating the flavor profile into the realm of a true sloppy joe.

The perfect roasted asparagus should be lightly browned and tender, yet bright green and crisp. Roasting the spears at a high temperature helps achieve this. We also browned grated Parmesan to make a nutty, crumbly frico topping. Wait until ready to serve to top the vegetables so the crisped cheese stays crunchy.

Grilled lobster tails are the ultimate summer extravagance, so you'll want to make sure to treat them right. This method assures tender and juicy lobster meat cradled in a shell brimming with garlicky, herby butter. We start with frozen tails because that's what's most reliably available, but if you have access to fresh, by all means use them.

A blend of three cheeses delivers a punch of flavor in this creamy mac and cheese. Toasted breadcrumbs give a crunchy texture contrast.

To get the most delicious chicken, we dry brined it overnight so the seasonings could penetrate the meat right down to the bone. (Don't worry, the brown sugar doesn't make the chicken sweet, it only helps to bring out the flavor.) We also wet the seasoned dredging flour with buttermilk and hot sauce to achieve large shaggy pieces of flavorful crust once the chicken is fried. And the cornstarch in that dredge? It keeps the crust shatteringly crisp —more so than just flour would — even if you are serving the chicken at room temperature.

This outstanding broccoli-cheddar soup is rich, cheesy and packed with flavor. We decided to puree just over half the soup which makes it extra thick and creamy, and left the remainder chunky so there are broccoli bits in every bite. Gild the lily with more shredded cheese on top to satisfy your comfort food craving.

We went very classic with this garlic bread recipe—lots of butter and lots of garlic loaded onto warm, pillowy French bread. You could make a light meal by rounding it out with a crisp green salad. Or serve it our favorite way—alongside your favorite red-sauce pasta.

We've created the perfect brownie by employing a few tips and tricks. Using both semisweet chocolate and cocoa powder gives us the deep and complex chocolate flavor we crave. Cooking the butter until golden brown adds a toasted nuttiness, while the pop of cream provides luscious texture.

Chipotle powder, apple cider and ketchup create the perfect balance of smoky, sweet and tangy without the need for a smoker or grill! For our classic, satisfying pulled pork, all that's required is a flavorful homemade rub and a long trip to the oven to cook low and slow until it's meltingly tender. Eat it as-is, or pile onto a potato roll with your favorite toppings for the ultimate sandwich. Coleslaw is a traditional accompaniment, and we love a vinegary one for the way it cuts through the richness of the pork.

We have a lot of requirements when it comes to banana bread and we finally created a recipe that ticks all the boxes. It's moist, tender, a little tangy and perfectly sweet — all around our favorite one. The best part is that it's even better the next day (if it lasts that long). Try toasting the bread and slathering with a little salted butter. We're pretty sure you'll never need another banana bread recipe.

A classic menu item from every great Italian-American restaurant, this shrimp scampi hits all the right notes — buttery, lemony, garlicky. We love it for its simplicity and balance of flavor (copious amounts of butter help, too!). But while it looks and tastes fancy, this dish is actually very easy to make. The white wine sauce gets a spicy finish from red pepper flakes, perfect for soaking up with good crusty bread or cooked pasta.

Chicken Tikka Masala is a spicy, tomato-based dish seasoned with garlic, ginger, fenugreek and garam masala. In this recipe we used fenugreek leaves for their nutty and slightly minty flavor. If you can't find them, substitute dried mint leaves and a pinch of ground fenugreek. Garam masala is a popular Indian spice blend that's pretty easy to find in your local grocery store and most national spice companies.

We wanted a rich and creamy custard that wasn't too sweet, so we could fully enjoy the signature crunchy layer of caramelized sugar on top. By only using egg yolks, we achieved a soft and creamy texture. We tried using milk and half-and-half but, in the end, we landed with heavy cream for its richness. Whole vanilla beans give a more intense, pure vanilla flavor that you can't get from extract. We also like seeing the vanilla seeds flecked throughout the custard.

We chose to use chicken leg quarters rather than a whole chicken to make this well-loved soup. It shortens the cooking time without sacrificing any flavor, and the dark meat adds extra depth.

A long-simmered beef ragu lets the brightness of the tomatoes develop and shine through while developing a meaty richness. Our ricotta is mixed with nutty Parmesan that tempers the sharp garlic and adds flavor. We worked hard to get the right balance of the ricotta and tomato sauce in the layers since each element has their own voice.

Can something be impossibly light while also being incredibly rich and decadent? Apparently so. This coconut cake is majestic in its height and a beauty — a flurry of tangy frosting, sweet shredded coconut and tender cake. It will truly put all other coconut cakes to shame. The bar has now been set.

We're transporting you to the old-fashioned diner for a plate of fluffy buttermilk pancakes. Our recipe has both baking powder for an airy and light interior and baking soda for that even golden-brown exterior.

Toasting the challah adds flavor, but more importantly, it helps the cubes to soak up and hold onto more of the deliciously rich custard. And if that wasn’t enough, we use not 1 but 2 vanilla beans to amp up the custard — plain old extract just doesn’t do it justice.

We love this recipe because the chicken breasts, which can often be dry and tasteless, come out so moist and tender. What’s our secret? Seasoning the chicken with salt and pepper 1 hour before cooking ensures that they stay juicy.

Brown lentils are the star of this dish. To boost flavor, we used a classic mirepoix — onion, celery and carrot — as well as thyme, bay and oregano for an herby finish. We found the fresh lemon juice and parsley at the end brightened up the soup and added a nice pop of color.

Chicken Parmesan should have, well, Parmesan. So we not only topped ours with it, we added it to the crust for even more flavor and texture. For the coating, we prefer to start with plain breadcrumbs and enhance them with our favorite flavors. And our very simple, classic Italian-American tomato sauce has a bright and tomato-y flavor that cuts through the richness of the chicken and pasta.

The deep flavors in our beef stew come from browning the chuck roast in batches and cooking the onions and garlic until they're sweet. Cooking low-and-slow in the oven allows the meat to become completely tender in its rich red wine-laced sauce. This is a great dish to make ahead as its complex flavors intensify overnight.

Our classic crepe is versatile enough to go sweet or savory, just omit the vanilla if going the savory route. The rest time here is key; the flour absorbs the milk as it sits giving you a more tender crepe and golden color.

This marinade channels your favorite barbecue flavors: sticky, sweet and tangy, with just a hint of heat. Marinate the wings for at least two hours so they soak up all the flavor--and if you’ve got time, let them marinate overnight. You can also make these wings in an air fryer or on the grill.

This whole wheat bread is perfect for making sandwiches, plus it toasts up beautifully — staying soft on the inside with a crisp exterior. The flour and water are mixed two hours before adding the other ingredients; it’s a technique called “autolyse” that allows the flour to hydrate, the gluten structure to begin to form, the dough to become easier to work with and more flavor to develop. Spraying the dough lightly with water just before baking will help create a flexible crust that expands in the oven, much like how professional bread bakers use a steam setting in their ovens. Be sure to let your bread cool completely before slicing — if you cut into it while it is still warm, it can result in a gummy texture.

Once you've tried "from-scratch" cinnamon rolls, you'll never go back! The secret to our rolls is the wet, buttery dough and double rising time. Once baked, they will be light and pillowy and full of buttery cinnamon goodness on the inside.

Instead of store-bought pumpkin pie spice, we like using ground cinnamon and nutmeg so we can control of the ratio between the two, opting for a healthy amount of nutmeg as it brings out the flavors in the pumpkin.

This easy grilled salmon recipe really is the best -- you get a perfectly cooked, moist and flaky fish with a delicious crispy skin. The flavor profile is salty from the capers, tangy from the lemon, herbaceous from the tarragon, a touch sweet from the brown sugar and packs a bit of spice from freshly ground black pepper. Not surprising, the first key to success is the type of fish you buy. Look for a center-cut piece of salmon that's about 1 1/2 pounds and at least 1 inch thick. The fish should have a subtle and fresh smell, like the sea. Make sure that the salmon skin has been descaled. If you are lucky enough to buy your seafood from a fish counter, you can ask for the scales to be removed. If not, you can remove them by rubbing the dull side of a chef’s knife back and forth over the top of the scales to dislodge them. (The scales will cause the fish to stick to the grill and are unpleasant to eat if you plan to munch on the skin) Last, make sure the skin is completely dry before cooking — leaving the fish uncovered in the refrigerator for an hour before you season it will do the trick.

This old-fashioned pie is filled with rich, creamy custard, then capped with a cloud of toasted meringue and a generous sprinkling of sweet coconut flakes. It tastes as if you pulled it straight from the dessert case of your favorite diner, only better.

It's easy to make classic focaccia at home. Our version is airy and slightly chewy, with a delicate golden crust. A drizzle of salt water over the dough during the final rise gives the bread a deeper flavor.

Now this is our idea of comfort food. Creamy and rich, it's the quintessential dish for a chilly evening. We like to splurge every once in a while and add a knob of butter to the cheesy egg sauce just to round it out. We've left that option up to you, however. Either way, we can't think of a more classic or satisfying pasta dish.

We took our favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and increased the brown sugar to make these cookies extra moist and chewy. Then we super-sized them — the better to get in more of our favorite candy-coated chocolates. Save some extra candy for topping each cookie before baking. The result, cookies that look just as good as they taste!

We opted for an all-beef meatloaf rather than the traditional mix of beef, veal and pork because we wanted that satisfying big beef flavor. Milk adds richness and tenderizes the meat, preventing it from getting tough or dry. We also cook the onion instead of adding it raw as many recipes suggest, which imparts a welcome sweetness and eliminates that harsh raw onion flavor.

Our favorite potato salad kicks up the traditional mayonnaise base with not only chopped dill pickles, but also uses the pickle brine for extra tang. Scallions, celery and parsley add freshness and a little crunch, while hard-boiled eggs practically make it a meal.

We love using a variety of apples in our pie; it adds both flavor and texture and makes every bite a little different. Vodka in the pie crust makes the dough easier to work with, and since the alcohol burns off during baking, it doesn't impart any flavor. But feel free to use bourbon or apple brandy instead to complement the filling.

We opted for a nutty crumb topping over marshmallows to create a pleasantly crunchy contrast to the creamy and soft mashed sweet potatoes. The filling gets a pumpkin pie-like treatment, with brown sugar and vanilla for a deep caramel flavor and butter and eggs for richness. This recipe is bound to become a holiday staple.

While we love a grilled burger, this one is our go-to for all seasons. Instead of making a typical patty, we smash the meat in a super-hot cast-iron pan to get crispy, ruffled edges. Once you smash your burgers this way, you'll never go back! We top them with all the fixings, including our perfectly balanced special sauce. It's what we consider an iconic burger.

Your search is over — this perfect butter cookie will stay in your recipe box for years. It's crisp, yet tender and perfect for tea for two or cookies for someone special. Plus, you have the choice to make drop cookies or a slice-and-bake version!

We love the light texture that cake flour gives baked goods, but we didn't want you to buy a whole box of it. So we used a cheat — all-purpose flour mixed with cornstarch. Cornstarch blocks the formation of gluten in the flour and makes the cake airy and tender. We also added 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil, an old baker's trick, to ensure that the cake stays moist. The heavy cream keeps the frosting light and fluffy.

When we set out to make the "best" crab cakes, opinions in the test kitchen were strong and varied. But we could all agree on plenty of fresh, high-quality crabmeat with very little filler. After some tinkering, we created these decadent cakes—generously sized and highly seasoned—with plenty of lemon juice, fresh herbs and spices. The jumbo lump crabmeat is front and center, so splurge on the best and freshest you can find.

As much as we love the filling in these samosas, we also must give a big shout-out to the dough. We tried a number of techniques to get that perfect light and crispy texture — the hallmark of a classic aloo samosa. In the end, we found that a wet dough, when rested long enough to fully hydrate the flour, created steam during frying that yielded crispy, bubbled and puffy samosas.

It's tough to top a classic lemon bar, but we've done it! We kept the tender, buttery crust and bright filling of the original, and made a few improvements. For our luscious lemon layer, we employed a unique double-cooking method. Simmering first on the stovetop like lemon curd allows us to add butter, which balances the tart and sweet elements and adds a richer, smoother texture.

We love the zippiness that a vinegar-based dressing brings to this coleslaw, making it the perfect partner for rich, meaty dishes like pulled pork or ribs. Cabbage can take lots of seasoning and lots of vinegar, so don’t be bashful. But the real secret to this colorful coleslaw is the marinating time — a long trip to the fridge softens up the veggies and gives them time to absorb the flavors of the vinaigrette. A drizzle of olive oil at the end balances the acidity.

Butter chicken originated in a Delhi restaurant when the chef was looking for a way to serve unsold tandoori chicken from the night before. He created a mild tomato curry spiced with cinnamon, cardamom and cloves and finished with butter. It was an instant classic that we love to serve alongside basmati rice and plenty of naan to soak up the fragrant sauce.

Our favorite bread for making French toast is pain de mie for its neutral flavor and spongey texture, which helps it absorb the egg mixture without falling apart. It's sometimes hard to find, so you can substitute brioche for a richer and more decadent toast or challah for an all-purpose choice.

Our classic carrot cake is nicely spiced with cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg and has toasted pecans both in the cake and on top. Plumped golden raisins and a full pound of carrots make it nice and moist while buttermilk lends tang and tenderness. Our homemade cream-cheese frosting has just the right amount of sweetness.

We added Cheddar and chives to this classic and quick side that goes from mixing bowl to oven in less than 10 minutes. It bakes up golden brown and puffy — perfect for a potluck or holiday gathering.

We love the smoky combination of cascabel and guajillo chiles. Using two varieties of dried peppers creates a complex sauce with wonderful depth of flavor, so we recommend seeking them both out. Integral to Mexican cooking, look for the best-quality corn tortillas you can find. They will have a better flavor and texture and will be easier to work with.

This is our go-to recipe for classic mashed potatoes, made with plenty of butter and cream. To make them fluffy and flavorful, be sure to simmer them slowly and add plenty of salt to the cooking water. And don't skip the step of steaming the excess water off; leaving too much moisture in the potatoes causes them to be loose and gluey.

There's something for everyone in our festive stuffing. It's filled with satisfying ingredients like sausage and mushrooms, plus classic Thanksgiving flavors like onion, celery and lots of chopped herbs. We like it best when baked in a casserole dish and served alongside the turkey. This is also the safest way to prepare it.

While we love a jazzed up version of egg salad, we always come back to this one for its simplicity, clean flavors and sheer nostalgia. This is the best version of a classic egg salad. It's bright with herbs and the mayonnaise-to-egg ratio is just right, making it perfectly mound-able on a sandwich or bowl of greens.

Do you like chewy cookies? Or do you prefer cakey ones? Our oatmeal-raisin cookies can be both! For a chewy cookie, bake them right away. For a cakey cookie, let the dough rest in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours (or overnight works even better) to allow the oatmeal to hydrate.

We love a well-spiced, fragrant mulled wine and this one hits the spot. The spices steep in the cider to intensify their flavors before everything is combined to create a warming, winter drink.

We bring extra umami (a savoriness) to a traditional green bean casserole with the addition of dried shiitake mushrooms. Once rehydrated, they turn soft and earthy, and their soaking liquid adds oomph to the sauce as well. Our fried onion topping is made from scratch — first, a dip in buttermilk, then fried to crunchy perfection.

These juicy meatballs with a tender, light texture are packed with flavorful herbs. The meat mixture is softer than you might expect, thanks to the addition of ricotta, but sacrificing a perfectly round shape is worth it. You'll make these turkey meatballs so often you just might forget about your beef meatball recipe.

This is not your everyday chocolate cake. It's a showstopper — very tall and much more of a bakery-style cake than a cake from a box. The frosting has both melted chocolate for smoothness and cocoa for depth of flavor.

This is our best version of the classic party dip. It's savory and creamy with a slight tang from sour cream and Parmesan -- so hard to resist. We like to use frozen whole leaf spinach and chop it ourselves for more control over the finished texture of the dish.

We wanted a super peanut buttery treat but found that store-bought peanut butter made the cookies a bit gummy when we used more than 1 cup. So we ground roasted peanuts ourselves and added that to the batter for an additional boost of flavor. Honey and melted butter add richness and create a soft and chewy cookie with an irresistible crackled exterior. We topped the dough balls with raw sugar for extra crunch and a hit of sweetness that balances the salt of the peanuts.

Our classic deviled eggs get their kick from mustard and hot sauce. We like the simplicity of the flavor — it's the perfect recipe to use your imagination and add your favorite toppings or mix-ins.

Even though there are just a few ingredients in this simple cake, there are also a few techniques that will make or break it. First, be sure to use the correct pan -- an angel food cake pan -- and do not grease it. Additionally, superfine sugar, sifted cake flour and perfectly whipped egg whites are key components that set you up for success -- and set this cake apart from the rest.

Our bolognese is rich and meaty, yet surprisingly light on the tomato. Instead, its base is made from a classic combination of wine and milk. The combination of pork, beef and pancetta adds complexity while a Parmesan rind lends even more flavor.

Go ahead and indulge in these perfectly rich and dreamy chocolate lava cakes! Bittersweet chocolate and espresso powder create a luscious and balanced batter that stays molten in the center during baking.

We used a marbled, tender piece of ribeye as the star of this comfort food classic. Two kinds of mushrooms are cooked until crispy to add an extra element of flavor. The whole dish is brought together with a rich, tangy sauce made with sour cream and Dijon and served over egg noodles.

Simple ingredients in perfect proportion make a this dip a crowd-pleasing favorite for any event. We decided not to use tomato in ours (it makes the guac watery) and included both onion and garlic for extra zip. A healthy dose of fresh lime juice balances and brightens the flavors.

Enchiladas from the Mexican state of Oaxaca are made with a red chile sauce. Ours has raisins to pull the fruit flavors from the ancho chiles and add a touch of sweetness. The pork is braised with aromatics and seasonings that turns into a deeply flavored blended sauce. Frying the tortillas a bit before rolling them gives them a durability that is important when assembling the dish.

The extra-rich taste of our cream scones comes from using milk powder in addition to the standard ingredients butter and cream. A light touch when combining the dough ensures a tender crumb.

This classic Italian-American dish is a nostalgic reminder of large family dinners of a bygone era. It's the ultimate crowd pleaser. The flavors from the marsala and cremini mushrooms bring a sweet earthiness to the sauce that really elevates simple seared chicken breasts.

It's the stuff of dreams: a classic sweet and tart dessert with a foolproof meringue topping that won't weep! We use mostly butter in our from-scratch pie dough, but add a little vegetable shortening as well — we found that this combination creates a crust that is both tender and flaky.

While we love many kinds of tuna salad, this classic version tops them all. The crispy celery and red onion give add zest and crunch, while mayonnaise and touch of mustard marry it all together. The lemon juice is optional as it’s not traditional, but we strongly recommend it to brighten up the flavors of the final dish.

The key to getting tofu nice and crispy is to first remove excess moisture. We wrap the block of tofu in a clean kitchen towel and place a heavy pan on top of it to press out as much water as possible. When searing the tofu, resist the urge to move it around. Instead, allow it to form a crust before flipping, and then again let it cook undisturbed on the other side until browned.

Gently poaching chicken breasts in an aromatic broth yields tender morsels for folding into a bright and herby homemade dressing. Serve it solo on a bed of lettuce with sliced tomatoes or in half an avocado. It also makes a killer chicken club sandwich topped with crisp bacon and other sandwich fixings.

These cookies are inspired by the thin and crispy style made popular by the Long Island bakery Tate's Bake Shop. In our version, we've upped the brown sugar, vanilla and chocolate chips for an even more flavorful and decadent treat.

For our best granola, we wanted a crunchy, clustery version that wasn't too sweet. We created this simple but universally likeable recipe that's flavored with vanilla and a blend of brown sugar and maple syrup. We love its pure flavors and balance of salty and sweet. It is the perfect canvas for personalization, so we've included some ideas for mix-ins at the end of the recipe.

We love this dough for making the lattice crust for many reasons. The combination of shortening and butter makes the dough incredibly easy to work with and forgiving when cutting and weaving. Plus, the added vodka provides tenderness and depth of flavor, making it perfect for a variety of pie fillings.

This bistro classic is deceptively easy to make. It just takes a little time and a few good ingredients. We found that yellow onions, also known as Spanish onions, work best for this recipe. They have a nice balance of sweetness and bitterness and caramelize perfectly. Just don't take them too dark -- a nice golden brown is perfect. Good beef broth also makes a big difference. If you can't make your own, look for a high-quality prepared variety.

If you think baked beans only come from a can, you're in for a treat. Bacon, molasses and bourbon add depth and flavor to our classic recipe that's perfectly spiced with paprika, mustard and Worcestershire. A bit of brown sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness and to keep things easy, the beans require no soaking! They get tender and delicious right in the oven.

There's no need to get up early on the weekend to make brunch for a crowd. With this rich, custardy French toast casserole, nearly all the prep is done in advance. Simply assemble and refrigerate overnight. About an hour before brunch time, just pop it into the oven. Whip up a fast and easy banana-caramel topping and bask in the praise of your well-fed guests.

This banana cake is delectably moist, perfectly sweet and easy to make. Dark brown sugar and sour cream add depth to the batter, and we added melted butter instead of vegetable oil for a flavor boost. Fluffy cream cheese frosting and swirls of dulce de leche will make you go back for seconds. We also upped the ante by using bananas in two ways -- fresh bananas are mixed into the cake while maple-candied banana chips create a crunchy topping.

This creamy banana dessert is our very favorite version, piled high with layers of just-ripe bananas, rich vanilla pudding and tender cookies. We used vanilla bean paste instead of extract in our homemade filling for a bold flavor boost and topped the pudding with swirls of freshly whipped cream. When it all comes together, it's dreamy, luscious and feeds a crowd!

These Parker House rolls are super indulgent thanks to plenty of butter mixed in and brushed on top. Milk and eggs enrich the dough, lending a perfectly tender texture. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt adds a welcome bit of contrast and crunch. These rolls are best served fresh and warm.

After tasting the pure apple flavor of this homemade sauce, you just might never go back to the store-bought kind. Supermarket applesauce can be loaded with added sweeteners and flavorings. We use only a little sugar, plus lemon juice, salt and cinnamon, providing a balanced flavor and the perfect amount of sweetness.

Olive oil, salt and pepper let the earthy flavor of the sprouts shine as they get crisp and golden in the oven. Heating the pan and laying the veggies flat-side down is the secret to achieving maximum browning -- and don't toss the loose leaves that fall off during trimming. They become toasted and crisp -- the best part! To make these extra special, we topped them with homemade Parmesan breadcrumbs.

Making this classic Italian dessert is surprisingly easy. We start the custard with a traditional Marsala-flavored zabaglione -- a cooked mixture of egg yolks and sugar. Then we lighten it with tangy mascarpone cheese, which provides just the right creamy, mousse-like texture. Once assembled, the ladyfingers soften sufficiently after 4 hours in the refrigerator, but if you can wait longer, the flavors will meld even more.

This is pure comfort food at its finest. Tender chunks of chicken and vegetables come together in a creamy, richly-flavored sauce with pillowy dumplings baked right on top. It's hearty but not too heavy and comes together from scratch in about an hour.

This recipe will please not only the meat-and-potato lover in your house but will also please the cook. It comes together in just 30 minutes with minimal cleanup! We seared tender, juicy strip steaks in a hot cast-iron skillet, then made a fast pan sauce with mustard, wine and herbs. Mashed potatoes are kicked up with sour cream, horseradish and spinach for a stick-to-your-ribs side dish that's a cinch to prepare in the microwave.

If you just went apple picking, here's the perfect recipe to enjoy the fruits of your labor. We've included two varieties of fresh apples, plus warm spices and tangy cider. The sweet, buttery crumble topping is flavored with brown sugar and studded with nutty pecans for the ultimate easy apple dessert.

With relatively few ingredients (none of them being cream), the success of a classic creamy risotto depends largely on technique. We've tested all the methods and narrowed it down to a few easy-to-follow steps that will help you achieve perfectly cooked Italian-style rice every time. This basic recipe is delicious on its own and makes a wonderful base to add your favorite vegetables or protein.

We stuck with tradition and made our shepherd's pie with lamb, but you could easily swap in ground beef. The saucy filling is packed with tender vegetables and the creamy topping is inspired by the Irish potato dish, colcannon, and is filled with cabbage, leeks and cheese.

There are about as many versions of tomato sauce as there are cooks in the world. The Italian-American heritage of one of our test-kitchen team members informed the development of this recipe, leading us to a version of her family's favorite tomato sauce. A variety of canned tomatoes adds richness. A long simmer helps the flavors meld and results in a sauce that is perfect on pasta or nestled around chicken cutlets or meatballs.

This take on a deli-style rye produces a loaf with a mild rye flavor, a slight sourdough tang and the perfect texture for a hearty sandwich. Vital wheat gluten gives the loaf height and structure, since rye flour does not contain as much gluten as wheat flour, while potato flakes contribute to the bread’s tender texture and increases its shelf life. Ideally, your sourdough starter is very active and has been fed earlier in the day.