Chili Crisp Charred Beets with Ricotta

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I can’t get enough chili crisp and I know you can’t either. This unlikely pairing of chili crisp, beets, kale, and creamy ricotta has won me over and honestly, I can’t stop making (or eating) it. Adapted from Bon Appetit, you can easily prepare the beets a day ahead of time and assemble the rest of the dish the day of. And this side dish is just as delicious without the ricotta, too.

Ingredients:

  • 1 garlic clove, grated
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons chili crisp
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 bunch Tuscan kale, stems and ribs removed
  • 1 pound prepared cooked beets, drained
  • 1/4 cup avocado oil
  • 4 ounces ricotta cheese
  1. Prepare a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Stir garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, chili crisp, and salt in a medium bowl until sugar and salt are dissolved. Set dressing aside.
  2. Toss kale, beets, and oil in a large bowl with your hands until coated. Cook kale and beets, turning occasionally, until kale is crisp and charred and beets are charred, about 4 minutes for kale, 12 minutes for beets. Transfer vegetables to a cutting board and let sit until cool enough to handle. Cut kale into large pieces. Cut beets into quarters. Add beets to reserved dressing and toss to coat. Let sit 20 minutes.
  3. To serve, spread ricotta on a platter. Add kale to bowl with beets, toss to combine. Spoon mixture over ricotta and drizzle remaining dressing all over.

Stir-Fried Asparagus

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This asparagus isn’t beautiful, but it’s simple, straightforward, and delicious. The whole thing comes together and the best part is you can swap out almost any green vegetable for the asparagus with similar results. Got Chinese broccoli or green beans in the fridge instead? Same prep, same method. Serve with rice and you’re good to go.

Ingredients:
  • Salt
  • 1 bunch asparagus, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 teaspoons avocado oil
  • 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
  • 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1/4 cup oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Pepper
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Blanch the asparagus for a minute. Drain the asparagus well in a colander.
  2. Heat the oil in a wok over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 10 seconds.
  3. Add the drained asparagus to the wok and stir-fry over high heat for 1 minute. Add the chili garlic sauce and fish sauce and continue to stir-fry for a few seconds. Add the oyster sauce, sugar, and a dash of pepper. Stir-fry for a few more seconds, then add the chicken stock and cook until the sauce is thickened to a light glaze, for about a couple minutes. Serve warm.

Classic Ragu with Pasta

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Everyone needs a good ragu recipe in their back pocket, and this one is it. Cook a big batch slow and low, freeze it, and warm it up when the weather is chilly and you’re craving something super satisfying. Easy.

Ingredients:
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • Black pepper
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 3 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 3 stalks celery, diced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3/4 cup dry red wine
  • 1 28-ounce can whole, peeled San Marzano tomatoes
  • 1 pound spaghetti, fettuccine, or similar
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
  1. Prepare the meat: place the milk, 2 tablespoons olive oil, fish sauce, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and a pinch of black pepper into a large bowl and stir. Add the beef and gently massage the marinade into the meat with your hands. Let the meat stand at room temperature for up to 1 hour while you prepare the sauce.
  2. Make the sauce: Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, celery, and onions and cook for 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until aromatic. Add 1 teaspoon salt and cook for another 5 minutes, until the vegetables soften.
  3. Add the meat to the pot, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook, without stirring, for about 5 minutes. Stir and continue cooking for another 5 minutes, until the meat is browned.
  4. Add the wine and cook for another 10 minutes, until the wine is reduced by half. Pour in the tomatoes and juice, breaking up the tomatoes with your hands before the go into the pot. Add a pinch of black pepper and let the sauce simmer, partially covered, over low heat, for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  5. Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a boil. Cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Using tongs, transfer the pasta directly from the water to the sauce to finish cooking, about 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of the pasta water and gently toss. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

Sweet and Sticky Chicken Wings

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This is one of my most-requested recipes, and it couldn’t possibly be any easier to make. They make the perfect appetizer, and they even travel well for potlucks. Best of all, these chicken wings crisp up in the oven. Once they’re done cooking, toss them in a three-ingredient sauce, and you’re all set.

Ingredients:
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried granulated garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 pounds chicken wings
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons Franks Red Hot Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons melted hot pepper jelly
  1. Preheat the oven to 500F degrees. Line a large baking sheet with foil and spray with vegetable oil. In a bowl, mix the flour, salt, dried garlic, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Spread the chicken on the baking sheet in a single layer and roast the chicken for 45 minutes, turning once (at around the 25 minute mark), until browned and crispy.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the hot sauce, butter, and hot pepper jelly. Toss the chicken with the hot sauce mixture and serve.

Meatballs with Sour Cream Sauce

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I know “sour cream sauce” doesn’t exactly sound appetizing, but hear me out. These tender meatballs are simmered with herbs, cream of mushroom, and sour cream, resulting in a super savory sauce sauce. Serve this atop a pile of egg noodles for the ultimate cold-weather comfort meal.

Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon grated onion
  • 1 tablespoon minced parsley
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 chicken bouillon cube
  • 1/2 cup boiling water
  • 1 can (10 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 12 ounces egg noodles, like pappardelle, cooked
  1. Preheat oven to 325F degrees. In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and milk. Let soak for 5 minutes.
  2. In another bowl, combine chicken, beef, egg, onion, parsley, salt, paprika, garlic powder and pepper. Add soaked bread crumbs and mix lightly but thoroughly.
  3. With wet hands, shape meat mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls. In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Brown meatballs in batches. Place meatballs on a greased baking pan. Bake until cooked through, 30-35 minutes.
  4. In a small bowl, dissolve bouillon in boiling water. In a large saucepan, combine cream of mushroom soup, bouillon mixture, and soy sauce until heated through. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream and serve with meatballs and cooked noodles.