Dinner

For years my homemade Mexican rice came out either mushy or crunchy, never that fluffy, orange, perfectly seasoned rice you get at a good Mexican restaurant. Then a friend showed me one simple step: toast the dry rice in oil until it turns golden before any liquid goes in. That changed everything. Now this Mexican…

Chicken fried rice is my answer to the question I hear every evening: “What is for dinner?” I almost always have leftover rice in the fridge, a couple of eggs and some frozen peas and carrots, and with one chicken breast I can turn those odds and ends into a hot, savory dinner in about…

The first time I made zuppa toscana soup at home, it was a cold, rainy Tuesday and I had half a bag of potatoes, some Italian sausage and a bunch of kale that needed using up. I threw it all in one pot with a splash of cream, and my family asked for it again…

This creamy sausage tortellini soup is the coziest weeknight dinner I know. Italian sausage, garlic and onions simmer in a rich tomato and cream broth, then cheese tortellini and fresh spinach go right into the pot. In about 30 minutes, you have a hearty, restaurant style soup that tastes like it cooked all day. My…

Honey garlic chicken is one of those dinners that tastes way fancier than the effort it takes. Juicy chicken thighs seared until golden, then coated in a sticky, glossy sauce made with honey, lots of garlic and soy sauce. Sweet, savory and a little bit tangy, it is the kind of dinner my family asks…

Chicken Alfredo is the ultimate cozy pasta dinner. Tender, golden chicken sliced over fettuccine coated in a rich, silky, garlicky Parmesan cream sauce. Once you make homemade Alfredo sauce, you will never want the jarred kind again. It takes about 15 minutes, uses just a few ingredients, and tastes like your favorite Italian restaurant. This…

Teriyaki chicken is my answer to takeout cravings on busy weeknights. Juicy, golden pieces of chicken coated in a glossy, sticky, sweet and savory sauce, served over fluffy rice with steamed broccoli. The homemade teriyaki sauce takes 5 minutes, uses pantry ingredients and tastes so much fresher than bottled sauce. From start to finish, dinner…

Butter chicken is the dish that made me fall in love with Indian food. Tender pieces of spiced, yogurt marinated chicken simmered in a silky, buttery tomato sauce that is rich and creamy, gently spiced and just a little sweet. It is the dish I order every time, so I spent a long time figuring…

Chicken tortilla soup is my favorite soup to make when I want something warm and comforting that still tastes bright and fresh. Tender shredded chicken, black beans and corn in a smoky, slightly spicy tomato broth, finished with lime and topped with crispy tortilla strips, avocado and cheese. It is a full meal in a…

Chicken enchiladas are one of those dinners that make the whole family happy. Soft tortillas wrapped around a cheesy chicken filling, smothered in a rich red enchilada sauce and baked until bubbly and golden. I make a big pan at least twice a month, and the leftovers are just as good the next day. My…