Elegant evidence that salad need not be reserved for warmer months. A stunner of a salad in which humble root vegetables are elevated with peppery greens, fried pancetta, and Parmesan.
- Quick Glance
- 25 M
- 25 M
- 4
Helen Doberstein, Recipe Tester
A list of all the recipes Helen Doberstein has tested.
Helen was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and has lived in the “GTA” (Greater Toronto Area) all of her life. Her earliest memories of food were typical of the English/Irish cooking of the day, which in Helen’s words meant “gray vegetables, potatoes, and well-done meats, sometimes with a token salad.” Fancy wasn’t on the menu growing up. Helen’s mom had taught her the basics so she wouldn’t starve, but the kitchen was always her mother’s domain. Intruders were welcome—to do the dishes.
As newlyweds, Helen and her husband became involved in round-robin dinner parties, which encouraged Helen to expand her cooking skills. Her most memorable dinner party involved a chocolate fondue that had so much kirsch in it she had to make coffee as everyone waited for cabs so they could get home safely. No one was given a choice to drive home after that dessert. (Helen deemed the night a huge success.) Not long after that, she started watching Julia Child and Jacques Pépin. In terms of cooking, she was hooked. Around the same time, Helen started collecting cookbooks and trying more and more new recipes and techniques in the kitchen. Soon everything was fair game.
Fortunately, when it comes to food, Helen’s family and friends are happy to try most anything that she’s prepared. The Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Stuffed Squash wowed her husband. Helen’s mother is extremely fond of the Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. The guys at the curling club loved the Duck Prosciutto and Bacon Jam. And Helen? She’ll tell you that her favorite recipe is the Smoked Salmon Pizza. No, it’s the Sunday Roast Beef. Hmmm, it’s probably the Chilaquiles. Actually, like most of us, she’s not able to choose just one.
Helen and her husband now live in Churchill, Ontario, a quiet village an hour north of Toronto. They have three grown children, an 8-year-old granddaughter, 2-year-old grandson and a 4 legged furry rescue who had decided she is not a dog but a princess. Helen has worked for three of the major Canadian banks, as well as with her husband at his business in Toronto, and is currently an office administrator for the Lisbon Group in Bradford. She’s also spent many years teaching ceramics in the evenings, practicing archery, and making jewelry. She previously tested recipes for America’s Test Kitchen and when her tenure there was done, she discovered Leite’s. “I can’t imagine doing this for anyone else now,” she says. “I love the sense of community here and look forward to many more years of happy testing.”
Turkey Cranberry Sandwich With Stuffing
To us, perhaps the best part of Thanksgiving–right up there with that being grateful thing–is the leftovers. We’re already craving this turkey cranberry sandwich with mayo and stuffing and gravy, oh my.
- Quick Glance
- 20 M
- 20 M
- 0
Thanksgiving Leftovers Turnovers
This brilliant (and frugal) technique creates surprise supper parcels from flaky, buttery pastry or pie crust hiding Thanksgiving leftovers. Prepare to be even more enthralled with Thanksgiving than before.
- Quick Glance
- 15 M
- 30 M
- 0
Roasted Pumpkin with Parmesan
Roasted winter squash with a little bling in the form of Parmigiano-Reggiano. So simple. So surprising. So satisfying.
- Quick Glance
- 20 M
- 1 H, 20 M
- 0
Best Parmesan Potato Gratin Recipe
We used to get our gratins and scalloped potatoes confused. But then we tried this gratin. Guess which one is now our favorite?!
- 25 M
- 2 H
- 4
Pork Loin Roast
Just like what your grandma would put on the table for Sunday night supper. (Don’t you love how food instantly transports you across time and space?)
- 10 M
- 1 H, 35 M
- 53
Perfect Flaky Pie Crust
Quick, easy, flaky, buttery, and basically foolproof. That’s how we like our pie crust. Here’s how to make it.
- Quick Glance
- 15 M
- 1 H
- 0
Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese
This skillet full of pumpkin macaroni and cheese awesomeness ranks off the charts in its indulgence-o-rama rating.
- 1 H
- 1 H, 30 M
- 11
Dark and Stormy Cocktail
It was a dark and stormy night…oops. We mean, this stiff yet slightly sweet cocktail is certain to thunder through your evening.
- 5 M
- 5 M
- 19
Carrot Ginger Soup
Easy, healthy, simple, vegan, and done in an hour. And, most importantly, absolutely scrumptious.
- 15 M
- 1 H
- 2
Glow in the Dark Jello
The spirits summoned for this ghostly glow-in-the-dark Jello hail from a bottle, not the supernatural. Whew. It’s just a gin and tonic under a black light. Who knew?!
- 25 M
- 11 H, 35 M
- 34
Cajun Fried Chicken
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.
- 35 M
- 35 M
- 23
Easy Pot Roast, Potatoes, and Vegetables
This classic, hearty, homey dish—just like something your grandma used to make—is the perfect one-pot meat and potatoes meal. Includes oven as well as slow cooker instructions.
- 30 M
- 4 H
- 21
Hungarian Cauliflower Soup ~ Karfiolleves
“Gorgeous!” “Satisfying and deceptively easy.” “A keeper.” That’s what folks are saying about this Hungarian cauliflower soup.
- 25 M
- 45 M
- 14