Cooking Method: Simmering

Back-Pocket Caper-Butter Chicken

Your jar of capers is the secret weapon in this super quick and easy recipe. A vibrant marinade made from caper brine, red wine vinegar, and grated garlic first infuses chicken breasts, keeping them tender as they sizzle in a hot pan. Then, that same flavorful marinade, with a touch of water and honey, becomes a bright, tangy pan sauce, finished with butter for a velvety texture and whole capers for bursts of briny goodness.

By Leslie Blythe

  • Prep: 10 mins
  • Cook: 25 mins
  • Yields: 4 Servings

Marry Me Butter Beans

Ever heard of Marry Me Chicken? It's an incredible Tuscan-inspired dish, bursting with the flavors of sun-dried tomatoes, cream, and basil. Here is a delicious vegetarian recipe for Marry Me Butter Beans. You'll be amazed at the depth of flavor this recipe delivers in just 15 minutes! Featuring butter beans enveloped in a creamy Tuscan-style sauce, these Marry Me Butter Beans are the ultimate quick comfort food. It comes together in one skillet. It's so delicious, it's rumored to make anyone who tastes it want to marry the chef!

By Leslie Blythe

  • Prep: 5 mins
  • Cook: 15 mins
  • Yields: 4 Servings

Gin Pickled Onions

My husband makes fantastic pickled red onions, and this gin-infused version is a real standout! These Gin Pickled Onions add gin and vinegar. The flavor is further enhanced with dry spices often found in gin, such as coriander and juniper, along with bay leaves for a truly superior pickled red onion. They brighten up sandwiches, tacos, cheese boards, and burgers, they're an absolute game-changer.

By Leslie Blythe

  • Prep: 10 mins
  • Cook: 5 mins

One-Pan Ditalini and Peas

When I made this my husband said it was a 10 out of a 10 (greater than the sum of its parts). This One-Pan Ditalini and Peas will become your savior on busy weeknights. Ditalini, meaning "little thimbles" in Italian, is a small, tube-shaped pasta. The key to this dish is that the pasta cooks directly in the broth, absorbing all the flavors as it simmers. This delicious, quick meal comes together in one pot, meaning minimal cleanup. Yet, it tastes surprisingly complex and elegant. Sweet, perfectly cooked peas are the ideal complement to the ditalini, and the sauce is wonderfully silky without being heavy. It’s topped off with crispy salami, lemon zest, fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese.

By Leslie Blythe

  • Prep: 10 mins
  • Cook: 20 mins
  • Yields: 4 Servings

Pork à l’Orange

This Pork à l'Orange is a classic and elegant dish that uses small pork tenderloins. Thanks to its petite size, pork tenderloin is easy to flavor and cook.  The vibrant, citrusy orange sauce is a balance of savory and sweet, with a hint of tanginess from the orange. The sauce is simmered into a thick luscious sauce that gets drizzle onto the roasted pork. This recipe is pretty flexible and you can use 1-2 very small pork tenderloins, or one medium-large pork tenderloin. Pork can be slightly pink, though it should reach 145° F. Don't overcook the pork! It should reach an internal temperature of 145°F and can have a slight pinkness in the center to remain tender.

By Leslie Blythe

  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cook: 30 mins
  • Yields: 6 Servings

Ragu Bianco (White Bolognese Sauce)

Unlike the classic red Bolognese, Ragu Bianco, or white Bolognese sauce, is a rich and flavorful Italian creation distinguished by the absence of tomatoes. Originating most likely in northern Italy, its three-hour simmer on the stovetop allows the subtle and nuanced flavors of the meat and other ingredients to truly meld and shine.

By Leslie Blythe

  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cook: 3 hrs
  • Yields: 4 - 6 Servings

Roasted Honey Ginger Salmon

Lidey Heuck calls her honey ginger salmon "candy salmon" for its balanced sweetness, making healthy fish feel like a treat. Salmon's rich flavor pairs well with sweet-savory glazes, unlike more delicate white fish. Honey, soy sauce, and rice vinegar are briefly simmered, then fresh ginger and garlic are stirred in off-heat to preserve their vibrant flavor. This glaze bastes the salmon while cooking and serves as a spoonable sauce. It's finished with a squeeze of fresh lime juice, which adds a touch of tartness to this delicious sweet salmon recipe.

By Leslie Blythe

  • Yields: 4 Servings

Polish Hunter’s Stew (Bigos)

Bigos is a traditional Polish hunter's stew, known for its hearty combination of wild mushrooms and tomato-sauerkraut base. This stew is originally made with game meats like venison or wild boar, but this version uses kielbasa, which is a bit easier to obtain!

By Leslie Blythe

  • Prep: 10 mins
  • Cook: 30 mins
  • Yields: 4 Servings

Cacio e Pepe Brussels Sprouts

Cacio e Pepe Brussels Sprouts offer a twist on the classic Roman pasta dish, replacing the noodles with crispy, flavorful Brussels sprouts. Cacio e Pepe translates to "cheese and pepper" in Italian. The slight bitterness of the Brussels sprouts provides a counterpoint to the richness and saltiness of the cheese, creating a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than if you were simply eating cheese and pepper on their own.

By Leslie Blythe

  • Prep: 20 mins
  • Cook: 25 mins
  • Yields: 4 - 6 Servings

Potato-Cheddar Soup With Quick-Pickled Jalapeños

Imagine the comforting warmth of cheesy mashed potatoes transformed into a luscious soup. That's precisely what this dish delivers. It's rich and satisfying without being overly heavy, hearty yet not dense. A touch of chili powder and garlic adds a lively kick, while the homemade pickled jalapeños provide a bright, tangy counterpoint to the creamy richness. These quick and easy pickled jalapeños are far superior to anything store-bought, elevating each spoonful with their vibrant flavor.

By Leslie Blythe

  • Prep: 25 mins
  • Cook: 45 mins
  • Yields: 4 - 6 Serving