Nut Free

I get a lot of inspiration from staring at the supermarket shelves, and seeing what items are grouped together. I made this recipe because I found the smoked oysters next to the anchovies in the canned fish section and decided to try them out instead in my Caesar dressing. Once I did that, I decided to riff on the croutons a bit too. In this recipe, the smoky oysters complement the rich egg yolks, which in turn get cut by a healthy dose of lemon juice. Do you like other canned fishies? All are good Caesar salad material, providing they are packed in oil, which amps up their flavor almost to a condiment level of oomph. If you want to get real crazy, find the canned seafood section in an ethnic market.

Hanger steak is the king of what I call weeknight steaks, casual cuts of leanish meat that deliver delicious flavor without a lot of expense or fuss. The skinny strip of flesh tastes best cooked hard and fast, for a crispy char on the outside, and left nice and pink inside. Slice it with a significant slant across the grain for the best eating texture. If you can find a grass-finished hanger steak, you’ll get leaner meat and a higher proportion of healthy lipids, such as omega-3s and CLAs. The bad news: hanger steak—or onglet, as it is sometimes known—can be hard to find. Even my regular butcher runs out somewhat frequently. Don’t fret—just substitute flank steak.

These cookie jar classics are crunchy but with a little chew, the taste a buttery blend of nutty toasted oats and sweet raisins . . . What more could you ask for? Take them on picnics and pack them in kids' lunch boxes.

Both the tart shell and the filling for this luscious quiche can be prepped ahead, making it a great dish for brunch entertaining.

These sparkly cookies take classic gingerbread and turn up the volume with three variations of ginger and a decadent cream cheese filling.

When it comes to a special-occasion main course, it doesn't get more timeless or show-stopping than porchetta.

You'll make more dressing than you need for one batch of salad with this recipe, but that's a good thing.

It doesn't get simpler—or more elegant—than crème fraîche and caviar tartlets alongside a glass of sparkling wine.

You know you love Brussels sprouts and bacon, but have you ever tried Brussels sprouts and bacon jam? You (and your hungry party guests) are in for a surprising treat.

Pickled grapes make a refreshingly sweet-tart companion to rich country pâté in this simple bite-size appetizer.

Pure maple syrup and a few pantry basics make this easy, sweet-spicy sausage sing.

The leftovers from this wholesome, spiced-up chicken dinner are just as good as the meal itself.

Your blender does most of the work for you to make this decadent mousse: no eggs, no double boiler, no extra fuss. It's the perfect make-ahead dessert for an impressive holiday meal.

You'll be surprised by just how easy it is to pull off this super-impressive flavor-packed holiday roast.

We've made this classic French spread even easier by using smoked salmon in place of the more traditional poached fish.

Dark honeys, like buckwheat, bring a touch of earthy sweetness to these lightly glazed beauties. The gremolata, made with the frilly green carrot tops, make a delicious and pretty finishing touch while adding to your #wasteless repertoire. If bunched carrots with tops aren't available, use parsley for the gremolata instead.

Crisp and juicy pieces of slab bacon and just the right hit of red wine vinegar bring the perfect tangy-porky balance to these slow-cooked Southern greens.

Sweet honey butter, seasoned with a kiss of flaky sea salt, is the ultimate topping for these light-as-air biscuits.

Beef broth is the base of so many unique dishes around the world, including our personal favorite, pho. Nothing beats a good bowl of pho on a cold and rainy afternoon.