Bette Fraser, Recipe Tester

Seafood gumbo loaded with shrimp, such as this classic Cajun recipe, screams for a cold beer and a lazy weekend afternoon dedicated to nothing but cooking.

• (6)
• 1 H, 45 M
• 5 H, 15 M
• 58

Unspeakably more nuanced than takeout Thai, these stir-fried noodles boast a sigh-inducing balance of salty, sour, and sweet. In other words, it’s the real deal.

• (1)
• 35 M
• 1 H
• 10

Chicken is coaxed to incredible taste and tenderness in this stew of sorts made healthful with root vegetables. Simple to make. Complex in taste. Unforgettable all around.

• (5)
• 25 M
• 1 H, 15 M
• 25

One pan. No fuss. Minimal carbs. Lotsa flavor. And just 30 minutes. You can understand why we are swooning over this little weeknight stunner.

• Quick Glance
• 20 M
• 30 M
• 0

Schmear this simple green sauce on anything and watch it disappear. And did we mention you can toss it together in minutes?

• Quick Glance
• 10 M
• 10 M
• 2

Ditch your smoothie routine. Instead you’re going to want to indulge in these breakfast tacos loaded with cheesy scrambled eggs, creamy avocado, and smoky chipotle salsa. #worthit

• Quick Glance
• 45 M
• 45 M
• 0

We used to get our gratins and scalloped potatoes confused. But then we tried this gratin. Guess which one is now our favorite?!

• (2)
• 25 M
• 2 H
• 4

We’ve something of a crush on author Jesse Griffiths and it has (almost) everything to do with his way with venison.

• (1)
• 20 M
• 30 M
• 4

Bathed in buttermilk and spiced ever so slightly, this Cajun-style fried hen is memorably moist inside, superlatively crisp outside, and gosh darn perfect through and through.

• (5)
• 35 M
• 35 M
• 23

This lovely melding of cheese course and last course becomes even lovelier with a generous pour of port.

• (2)
• 25 M
• 1 H
• 19

Brisket, short ribs, and chuck. When melded in just the right proportions, as here, they turn out the most luxe made-from-scratch burger we’ve ever experienced.

• (1)
• 50 M
• 1 H
• 17

Crisp at the edges, chewy in the center, and (sorta) wholesome through and through, these are a revelatory riff on the classic.

• (4)
• 25 M
• 40 M
• 30

We wish someone had told us a heck of a lot sooner about this uncommon bread salad, which embellishes the usual ingredient suspects with figs and walnuts.

• Quick Glance
• 40 M
• 40 M
• 4

Need to bring something to a backyard bash when all you want is mad crazy gratitude and an empty dish to take home? This blueberry crumble with a crumbly oatmeal cookie topping is your answer.

• (19)
• 15 M
• 50 M
• 59