Four ingredients and one simple technique that will leave everyone asking—maybe even demanding—you for more. A keeper of a side dish.
Elsa M. Jacobson, Recipe Tester
A list of all the recipes Elsa M. Jacobson has tested.
Crème Caramel
Similar to flan in its delicate texture, this classic creme caramel is as simple as it is sophisticated. You’d expect nothing less from the French, yes?
Goat Cheese with Honey
This little ditty is simplicity itself. Drizzle fresh, creamy goat cheese with a little honey and behold the loveliness of sweet, sweet synergy.
Sweet and Spicy Roasted Nuts
These sweet and spicy nuts are addictive, so serve with care. The sweet comes from sugar, the spicy is the result of red pepper flakes. Use any kind of nut.
Parmesan Potato Gratin
We used to get our gratins and scalloped potatoes confused. But then we tried this gratin. Guess which one is now our favorite?!
Plum-Blueberry Upside-Down Cake
This purple-stained cake—er, what’s left of it—calls for just old-fashioned goodness and the season’s most compelling fruits. Got milk?
Peach Iced Tea with Mint
One taste and you’ll understand why this refreshing, lightly sweetened peach iced tea is our new go-to summer sipper.
Caramelized Strawberries with Ricotta
If you’ve never experienced caramelized strawberries, grab a carton and get cooking. This easy 15-minute dessert features sweet cooked strawberries piled atop creamy ricotta cheese, and topped with fresh mint.
Carrot Ribbon Salad
We’re declaring this easy, healthy salad of carrots, cilantro, and toasted cumin vinaigrette your summer go-to salad.
White Bean Hummus
Change up your hummus game with this white bean version that’s served with a fresh herb, olive, and seed topping.
Sweet Potato Hummus
This easy hummus can be made in the slow cooker or oven, and is a healthy snack or appetizer that requires almost no effort.
Mediterranean Nachos
We bet you never thought you’d hear the words healthy and nachos in the same sentence. But these Greek-style nachos, topped with yogurt, hummus, and veggies are exactly that.
Fried Polenta Sticks
Just when we thought polenta couldn’t get any better we discovered these irresistible fried polenta sticks.
Broccolini with Tahini Sauce
Boiled broccolini just got a whole lot more interesting thanks to a tahini, garlic, and lemon sauce.
Homemade Ribbon Fries
These shatteringly crisp, undeniably sophisticated potato ruffles—chips, if you will—have no ridges. Nor do they need them. They’re intoxicatingly lovely just as they are.
Gingerbread Pancakes
Gingerbread pancakes, a perfect holiday treat, are filled with warm spices, including ginger. Gingerbread pancakes are a unique weekend breakfast.
Roasted Pear with Honey and Rosemary
A lovely combination of sweet honeyed pears, salty feta, and earthy rosemary makes an unforgettable starter. Or just a brilliant little snack to perk you up.
Basic Crepes
A simple, step-by-step recipe for the classic French crepe that can easily be mastered by anyone. Yes, anyone. Including you.
Spicy Cranberry Sauce
A sweet-tart little condiment to slather on everything on your holiday table. It gets a little bit of heat from ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and chile.
Adobo Seasoning
A flavor-packed adobo spice mix that contains less salt than store-bought, so go ahead and sprinkle it on anything that needs to be perked up.