Month: February 2025

Posted in Book Reviews

Baking for Two: 200+ Small-Batch Recipes, from Lazy Bakes to Layer Cakes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

ATK revolutionizes small-batch baking with innovative techniques, flexible equipment options, and 200+ big-flavor recipes.

ATK cuts sweet and savory treats down to size while cutting out the small-batch baking quirks in this exciting cookbook for two: no calculators to scale recipes, no measuring out half an egg, no buying a container of an ingredient to use just a tablespoon, no stale leftovers, no kitchen full of required equipment. ATK’s small-batch baking way:

  • Eliminates waste with recipe yields that work for you: Serve Blueberry-Lavender Cornmeal Crumbles in two ramekins, warm from the oven, or make storage-friendly loaf pan Coconut Snack Cake when you want to share or keep some for the week.
  • Is adaptable for the air fryer or toaster oven: Turn to the toaster oven instead of turning on the oven for two scones. Make desserts you never knew you could in the air fryer, even Basque Cheesecake! 
  • Turns your freezer into a treat factory: Recipes that yield more than a handful are formulated to bake from frozen—and taste just as good as fresh. Solve the perennial breakfast problem with a half dozen Cranberry-Cardamom Muffins you can bake off individually. (You freeze the batter in paper liners.) Simplify longer recipes like Croissants by preparing them ahead, freezing, and then baking later. 
  • Delivers baking joy with everyday indulgences: Keep dough balls of Coffee-Toffee Cookies in your freezer. Use store-bought puff pastry to make impressive Everything Bagel Danishes or Fruit Tart in a snap. 
  • Offers pan options: Cheese Bread with Feta and Nigella Seeds is a delightful mini loaf, but it will satisfy the same if baked in a muffin tin or ramekins. If you have a cute pan collection, there are baby Bundts and petite cakes to please, but there’s always an option to use a conventional pan.

Make four Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits for a dinner bread basket, or freeze the dough portions and bake off one or two whenever you like—in just 25 minutes. Better yet, you can do it in an oven, toaster oven, or air fryer. Celebrate an intimate birthday with a 6-inch Vanilla and Passionfruit Layer Cake for two. Satisfy an impromptu chocolate craving with speedy, perfectly portioned Molten Chocolate Microwave Mug Cakes.

Posted in #Recipes

25 Perfectly Portioned Dinners for Two

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Our Best Dinner-for-Two Recipes

Whether it’s a special occasion like Valentine’s Day or a cozy, fuss-free weeknight, a delicious dinne, small-batch dinner doesn’t have to break the bank. While some dishes are designed to feed a big crowd, these recipes are specially suited to serve just two diners with no annoying leftovers to worry about. A thoughtfully prepared meal can turn any evening into a date night dinner to remember, with delicious dishes that are easy to make and just the right size (even if you’re on a budget).

Get a little help from your trusty air fryer to create this incredibly tasty, restaurant-worthy dinner in just 30 minutes. A simple coating of panko and Parmesan cheese on chicken breast yields a delightfully crunchy coating. Serve it with roasted broccoli and a citrusy yogurt sauce.

Food Network

Posted in #Recipes

Make One Of These Marry Me Recipes & You’ll Definitely (Probably) Get Engaged Tonight

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Want to make something special for your special significant other this Valentine’s Day…or any other day you want to showcase some lovin’? Well, in case you didn’t know, Delish developed the very first iteration of Marry Me Chicken. It’s gone viral on TikTok and has become such an Internet staple that The New York Times covered the phenomenon (and their version became their most popular recipe of 2023, seven years after the original was published). The developer, Lindsay Funston, first named this “Sicilian Chicken Skillet,” but she wasn’t sold on the name…until a stroke of genius hit on video shoot day. After they spooned the sauce over the chicken for the last shot, a videographer grabbed a fork to try the final result. Once she took a bite, she blurted out, “I’d marry you for that chicken!” and the now-famous name was born.

Chicken is, of course, the classic choice, but considering its success, we had to make more versions of it to entice all palates and taste buds. From pasta to tofu to a high-protein version, we (sort of) promise that if you make one of these, you’ll (probably) get engaged after making this for your loved one.

delish!

Posted in #Recipes

47 Pasta Recipes With Tons of Glowing, 5-Star Ratings

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Our Best Pasta Recipes

When you’re craving carbs, nothing is quite as satisfying as a plate (or bowl!) of pasta. Whether you break out your best pasta pot for a stovetop recipe

like spaghetti or tortellini or fill up your favorite casserole dish to make a baked pasta like lasagna, noodles paired with the perfect sauce and topped with a mountain of freshly grated cheese are the ultimate comfort food. And, while we would gladly gobble up any dish of pasta you put in front of us, there are a few that are undeniable masterpieces—recipes that have amassed hundreds of 5-star ratings and positive reviews from fans. These are those recipes. So, prepare to want to make them all—starting with the super popular baked feta pasta you’ve seen all over TikTok. It’s easy to see why the recipe has achieved such fame: Cherry tomatoes and a whole block of feta are baked until soft and melty, then tossed with garlic, basil and cooked noodles for a beautifully cheesy dish. Better make a double batch!

Food Network

Posted in #Recipes

35 No-Fuss Valentine’s Day Treats

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Valentine’s Day is all about showing our loved ones how much we care, and food is one of the best ways to share the love. If you’ve procrastinated making plans—no judgment here—there’s no need to rush to the supermarket for a heart-shaped box of chocolates. These easy-to-prep Valentine’s Day treats are romantic, decadent and full of heart.

Even if you decide to dine out on Valentine’s Day, these pretty bites make the perfect romantic desserts. As a bonus, they can all be prepped in 30 minutes (or less!). From heart-shaped cakes to indulgent red velvet goodies, we’ve got all the cupid-approved holiday hits without any of the kitchen stress.

Of course, if you are inspired to whip up a full meal (say, by candlelight), pair these treats with romantic Valentine’s Day dinners. The combination will have have your sweetheart swooning, especially if you throw in special Valentine’s Day gifts. And if you have more than 30 minutes to prep, finish it all off with homemade Valentine’s Day candy! You can never, ever go wrong with chocolate truffles.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

103 Easy 30-Minute Dinner Recipes That Will Save Your Weeknights

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Our Best 30-Minute Dinner Ideas

There’s no denying that getting a family-friendly dinner on the table can be tricky at the best of times, let alone on busy weeknights. But, we’re here to tell you that with the right recipes (easy dinners, preferably ones that don’t require much cleanup) it’s completely possible to get a home cooked meal on the table in a matter of minutes. Whether you’re craving chicken breast, a filet of salmon, thick-cut pork chops or something else, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for here—starting with Ree’s super fun take on crispy chicken cutlets. She adds everything bagel seasoning (a savory mix of black and white sesame seeds, dried garlic and onion, sea salt and poppy seeds) to the breadcrumb coating to ensure that each bite is packed with flavor.

Food Network

Posted in #Recipes

79 Easy Dessert Ideas

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Looking for something sweet? We’ve rounded up our top-rated easy dessert ideas from home cooks across the country.

Taste of Home

Deadly Foods or Kitchen Folklore? 8 Food Items to Approach With Caution

As children, we’re often warned not to eat certain things because “they’re poisonous.” And I started wondering if those warnings had any basis in fact, or if they were nothing but a combination of hand-me-down myths, and an easy way for parents to scare children into behaving. As it turns out, most of the things I was told were poisonous were indeed, to one degree or another, poisonous. Though most will not cause death, they will often produce enough gastrointestinal distress that you might THINK that you’re dying.

Here are some of the most commonly cautioned food items that do, in fact, have a touch of toxicity.

Allrecipes

Posted in #Recipes

60 Valentine’s Day Desserts for Your Sweetheart

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

What’s the sweetest thing you can do for your partner on Valentine’s Day? Make a batch of Valentine’s Day desserts, of course! These edible Valentine’s gifts cover any craving, from chocolate raspberry cake to heart-shaped meringues.

We made sure to include desserts that are completely easy to pull off, plus a few recipes that take a bit more skill. There are lots of different flavors like white chocolate-raspberry, decadent dark chocolate and even lemon, to name a few. We’ve even included a few gluten-free and vegan options!

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day at home or you’ve booked a table for two, end your romantic dinner with one of these sweet desserts.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

30 Recipes to Learn Before You Turn 30

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Every home chef learns at their own pace, but at a certain point, it’s time to really own your signature dishes. So, we’re going back to the basics with this collection of fundamental dishes that can serve as the building blocks of your recipe repertoire. From classic breakfasts to stand-out sauces to your (not-yet) famous chocolate cake, these dishes will take you far in your home cooking career. These are some of our top-loved and top-made recipes, so let’s just say the whole community agrees: It’s time to learn these culinary staples!

Allrecipes