PREP TIME: 15 minutes BAKE TIME: 20-25 minutes TOTAL TIME: 40 minutes RECIPE INTENSITY: Easy. This is a beginner-friendly recipe that requires no special skills or equipment. It’s a great one to make with kids! Ingredients 1 cup (100g) pecans, chopped (plus 12 whole pecans for garnish, optional) 1 cup (220g) packed light brown sugar ½ cup (60g) all-purpose…

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Recipe Intensity: Easy Ingredients 12 ounces (340g) pasta of choice (penne, fettuccine, or farfalle work well) 6 slices bacon, chopped 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour…

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour Resting Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes Recipe Intensity: Easy. This is a beginner-friendly recipe that requires simple mixing and shaping. No advanced techniques are needed. Ingredients For the Meatloaf: 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend is ideal for moisture and flavor) 1 cup finely diced yellow onion (about 1…

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 15-20 minutes Cooling Time: 1-2 hours, minimum Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes, plus cooling Difficulty: Intermediate (Requires precision with a candy thermometer) Ingredients 2 cups granulated sugar 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) 1/2 cup whole milk 1/4 cup light corn syrup 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1 teaspoon baking…

Yields: 2 large flatbreads (each serving 2-3 people) Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus 1 hour for rising) Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes Recipe Intensity & Skill Level Overall Intensity: Medium Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate Key Skills Required: Basic knife skills, kneading dough, and using a rolling pin. The most advanced technique is creating a smooth, elastic…

Yields: 2 generous servings Prep Time: 5 minutes Chill Time (Optional): 30 minutes Total Time: 5 minutes (or 35 minutes if chilling) Recipe Intensity: Very Easy (Beginner-Friendly) Recipe Cost: $ (Low Cost) Ingredients 1 ½ cups (12 oz / 340g) full-fat or low-fat cottage cheese (see note #1 below) ¼ cup (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted ¼ cup (80ml) pure maple syrup, honey,…

Prep Time: 20 minutes Chill Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 12-15 minutes per batch Total Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes Course: Snack, Appetizer Cuisine: International Diet: Vegan, Egg-Free, Dairy-Free Yield: Approximately 40 crackers & 12-15 cookies Intensity: Easy – Perfect for beginner bakers! Equipment You’ll Need Large mixing bowl Whisk Rolling pin Parchment paper Baking sheets Fork (for docking) Knife or pizza cutter (for…

Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 2 hours (slow cooker) + 1 hour (setting) Total Time: 3 hours, 5 minutes (mostly hands-off) Skill Level: Beginner Recipe Cost: $$ Intensity: Low Effort, High Reward Ingredients Gather these simple ingredients to create this magical holiday treat: The Savory & Salty Base: 16 ounces (about 4 cups) salted peanuts 8 ounces (about 2 cups)…

Yields: 4 servings Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes Recipe Intensity: Easy to Moderate. This recipe involves some multitasking (cooking the filling while prepping the peppers) but uses simple techniques accessible to any home cook. Recipe Cost: Moderate. The cost is primarily driven by the quality of the beef. Using a good-quality, but less expensive…

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes Total Time: 55 minutes Servings: 6 Cooking Intensity: Easy Philly Cheesesteak Casserole: All the Flavor, None of the Fuss Craving the iconic, savory goodness of a Philadelphia cheesesteak but want a simpler, fork-and-knife kind of meal? This Philly Cheesesteak Casserole is your answer. We’ve deconstructed the beloved sandwich and transformed it into…