Simple Cooking

The oat topping channels granola with olive oil, almonds, and maple syrup, while the filling is barely sweetened, instead taking advantage of in-season berries.

A heap of basil, tossed through just to wilt, adds a punchy, cooling element to this dish of chile- and garlic-marinated shrimp. Spoon it over a fluffy pile of white rice for a fuss-free summertime dinner.

This salad is crunchy, herby, cooling, and refreshing. To add some heat between bites, serve fresh green chiles for nibbling alongside.

This seven-spice blend is typical of Lebanese cooking and full of dimension. Try it on chicken or pork chops too.

The secret weapon in this summery salad is the golden raisins: They're soaked in apple cider vinegar, which not only sweetens the vinegar but also transforms them into plump, sweet-tart balloons.

This vibrant dip of toasted walnuts and roasted red peppers pairs perfectly well with fresh pita bread.

This creamy, crunchy breakfast dish also pairs well with vegetables, fish, or lamb come dinnertime. The canned chickpeas pick up some flavor from a quick simmer with garlic.

If you don’t have a grill or a gas stovetop, you can broil the eggplants in the oven, turning occasionally, until charred and tender.

Originally, this curried soup was served cold. Given the winter chill in the air, however, we tried it hot and discovered it to be even better.

Get all the flavors of falafel with crispy roasted chickpeas, crunchy crouton-like pita chips, crisp cucumber, and a lemon-tahini dressing.

A splash of vanilla and honey give this everyday smoothie just the right amount of sweetness.

Inspired by the flavors of kefta, these protein-packed vegetarian bites are equally good tucked into a pita or served on their own.

Not too rich but ridiculously moist, this cake decadent without being overly sweet. It’s almost impossible to mess up and so easy to make.

The zest of two whole lemons goes into this cake batter, giving it a real punch of citrus flavor, accented by the drippy lemon glaze that gets drizzled overtop.

This classic recipe from the Gourmet archives is waffle perfection. Make them for Father’s Day so Dad can fill each crevice with butter and syrup, cream and berries, or—if he’s that kind of dad—barbecue sauce and bacon.

Fresh herbs—like rosemary, thyme, or fresh bay leaves—infuse this buttery cake with a floral flavor that beautifully complements the strawberry and lemon.

This party drink is something you’d imagine sipping at the bar of a trendy modern taqueria, except it's easy to pull off at home.

The lamb for these wraps—bursting with flavorful spices and herbs—is cooked in the oven, but it would also be amazing cooked on a grill.

Apples, blueberries, and almonds make this a filling, satisfying, healthy breakfast.

This curry is redolent with big spices like star anise and garam masala—you’ll be thrilled by how well they play against the sweet meatiness of the carrots.