I’ll never forget the first time I made these; I went out with a friend to his small “vineyard”—he had a few wild grapevines growing in his backyard—and we picked the leaves and painstakingly cut the heavy veins from all of them, then blanched them and began. I’ve never eaten better, though canned or bottled grape leaves make the process much easier. Unlike most stuffed vegetables, grape leaves are usually served cold. However, they can be served hot, just after cooking, topped with Avgolemono (page 596) or simply some yogurt thinned with a little water and warmed with a tablespoon or two of minced garlic and some salt and pepper. Other vegetables you can prepare this way: cabbage leaves (see page 445).
A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.
Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
Rehydrating dried cherries in hot water turns them plump and juicy—exactly what you want scattered throughout a rosemary-scented pan sauce for pork chops.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.
Mayocobas, or canary beans, are the quick-cooking pantry ingredient you should know about.
Fully loaded, meal-prep friendly, and ready to be dressed up, down, or sideways.