If you’ve been hesitant to make chocolate souffle out of fear, worry not. This easy version is guaranteed to reach lofty heights. A no-stress, high-stakes dessert. We show you how.
Helena Pereira, Recipe Tester
A list of all the recipes Helena Pereira has tested.
Lisbon-born Helena Pereira believes her penchant for great food comes from being Portuguese, a cuisine that’s marvelously rich in unique flavors and enormous variety. She humbly asserts it’s the best in the world!
Like many, Helena learned to cook at her mother’s side, and her love of cooking has accompanied her all her life. She has acquired many cookbooks and in 2012 created the blog Cooking from Books. There Helena has been preparing and presenting many wonderful recipes.
In 2015, she and her family went to live in Miami, where they stayed for about two years. It was there that she first saw David’s website and discovered his program of testing recipes before he published them. This was something she’d never seen in Portugal or in Europe. The idea of contributing to the site and getting early access to high-quality content and recipes appealed to her, so she joined the testing team, a relationship that lasts to today.
The first recipe she tested was Cacio and Pepe, one of her favorites, but many others are dishes that she very much enjoys: Chocolate Salami | Salame de Chocolate; World Peace Cookies | Korova Cookies; Grilled Peach, Basil, and Walnut Salad; Serrano Ham-Chicken Fritters, and Walnut Baklava.
Helena is now back in Lisbon, where she lives with her family. You can also find her on Instagram at cookingbooks.
Dorie Greenspan’s Rugelach
These butter and cream cheese pastries are filled with cinnamon-sugared nuts, a slick of jam, currants, and a handful of chopped chocolate.
White Bean Hummus
Change up your hummus game with this white bean version that’s served with a fresh herb, olive, and seed topping.
Edd Kimber’s Coffee Coffee Cake
A streusel-sprinkled coffee cake that lives up to its namesake ingredient thanks to an espresso-laced ribbon through the cake. This cakey brilliance is brought to you by Edd Kimber.
Pistachio-Lime Polenta Cake
This lime-infused polenta cake boasts a light texture and rich, buttery flavor. It’s perfect for teatime or dessert, but we won’t judge if you sneak a slice for breakfast.
Black Sesame and Lime Cake
This cake from Great British Bake-Off contestant Chetna Makan offers a bright and citrusy punch, thanks to lime and orange zest. Black sesame seeds offer a pleasant crunch.
Spiced Chocolate Truffles
At last, spiced chocolate truffles made with dark chocolate that taste delectable, are easy to make, and—believe it!—nutrient dense. Our prayers have been answered.
Sablés Breton
This seemingly simple little biscuit from France will wow you with its flaky, buttery perfection. Fantastique!
Dark Chocolate and Tahini Ice Cream
Deeply flavored with dark chocolate and the nuttiness of tahini, this is a perfect adult ice cream. You won’t believe how creamy it is, either.
Roasted Beet, Feta, and Mint Salad
An easy combo of roasted beets and feta are drizzled with an incredible, caramelized dressing. Served warm, the flavors are even better.
Easy Roasted Garlic
If you’ve been waiting for a sign that you should start roasting your own garlic, consider this it. Once you taste it, you’ll wonder why you waited.
Cacio e Pepe
This crazy satisfying, ridiculously cheap, pantry-minded dinner consists of just pasta, cheese, oil, salt, pepper, and a nifty technique.
Pasta with Tuna and Crispy Bread Crumbs
A tasty dinner from America’s Test Kitchen that’s full of Italian flavor from capers, lemon, and olives. You’re 30 minutes away from pasta heaven.
Potatoes with Tomatoes and Feta
A deeply spiced, but not spicy, Turkish potato and tomato casserole that makes a superb side dish. Serve with yogurt, lemon, and even a sprinkle of nuts.
Eggplant Kebabs
A healthy, veggie-packed dinner that’s most magnificent during the height of summer. No turning on the stove required.
Five-Ingredient Nutella Brownies
Bet you already have everything you need for these brownies in your house. Which is a very good thing. (Also sorta a very dangerous thing.)
Small Batch Strawberry Jam
Here’s a recipe for a small batch of strawberry jam, without all the fuss of traditional canning. Ready in less than an hour, with all the lush taste of peak strawberry season.
German-Style Potato Salad
Served warm and without mayo, you might not recognize this as your standby potato salad but let us implore you—just try it. It’s divine.
Curried Chickpeas ~ Chana Masala
Easy, inexpensive, not too spicy, comforting as heck, and made with ingredients you probably already have. It also just so happens to be vegan and gluten-free.
Roasted Butternut Squash with Cilantro-Lime Gremolata
A fresh take on squash with tahini, lime, and ginger. It comes together easily, resulting in a superbly satisfying dinner. Don’t even think about skipping the pumpkin seeds!