Transport yourself to the Mediterranean with this cozy meal of tender chicken thighs that are gently cooked with vermouth, lemon, olives, and prosciutto.
Ilda Costa-Sarnicki, Recipe Tester
A list of all the recipes Ilda Costa-Sarnicki has tested.
Ilda Costa-Sarnicki subscribes to the Dalai Lama’s rule that suggests one should approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
Her first recollection of having a foodie gene was, when at 4 years of age, her mom sent her outside for some fresh air and she returned with a bunch of parsley asking if that was it.
Ilda discovered food as more than sustenance by watching the Food Network with her daughter and then going into the kitchen to replicate recipes seen on the shows. Thirty years later, the kitchen experiments continue. All things food and cooking are a passion enjoyed on days off from her work as a Neonatal Intensive Care nurse.
Over the years, Ilda has collected an arsenal of kitchen gadgets and has designed an ergonomic kitchen that maximizes efficiency and pleasure while minimizing stress and fatigue. She confesses she’s a hardcore foodist, and she does deep dives not only into cooking but also cheese making, charcuterie, food preservation, fermentation, and food gardening.
Recipe testing feeds into her motto of being continually inspired and of inspiring others to cook and be creative and confident in the kitchen.
Bifanas ~ Portuguese Pork Sandwiches
In the pantheon of great Portuguese foods, there are few sandwiches that are more superlative than the bifana. Essentially pork, bread, and sauce, it’s comfort food at its simplest.
Sicilian-Style Roasted Cauliflower
Warmly spiced, roasted cauliflower gets drizzled with a tangy-sweet dressing, making it an irresistible, healthy (and vegan) side dish. Who loves you?
Crispy Hash Brown Waffles
Looking for a healthy breakfast idea that the whole family will love? These hash brown waffles, which can be made with potatoes or cauliflower, or a mixture of both check all of those boxes.
Spicy Honey Lime Chicken
This easy-peasy marinated grilled chicken with sweet and spicy honey lime sauce is going to be on regular rotation at our dinner tables. We’re betting it will be at yours, too.
How to Smoke Pork Ribs
Smoky, spicy, perfectly tender pork ribs. Every time. Here’s how you make them.
Grilled Avocado and Peach Salad with Goat Cheese
This stunning combination of grilled peaches, avocado, goat cheese, fresh figs, almonds, herbs, and vinaigrette is proof that salads don’t need to be boring.
Grilled Whole Fish with Cucumber Salad
Take the guesswork out of grilling whole fish with this easy recipe. A creamy cooling cucumber salad completes this summer meal.
Air Fryer Pistachio-Crusted Chicken Cutlets
Tender chicken cutlets get the star treatment here with a nutty crust and a quick trip through the air fryer. A simple arugula salad completes the meal.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
This easy meal of tender bucatini pasta all tangled up with sautéed shrimp and a lemony garlic butter sauce is on the table in just 30 minutes. You’re welcome.
Parmesan-Crusted Grilled Cheese with Jalapeños
Why put cheese only inside your grilled cheese sandwich? This beauty is filled with Cheddar and coated with Parmesan, which means you get a creamy, melty interior, and a crispy exterior. Basically, a perfect grilled cheese.
Spicy Grilled Chicken Sandwich
This combination of marinated, bacon-wrapped, and grilled chicken tucked into a bun with mayo, tomato, and arugula just became our new favorite way to enjoy a BLT.
Charred Corn and Scallop Salad with Lime Dressing
Grilled sweet corn, spicy sausage, seared scallops, tangy lime dressing, and a crunchy corn nut topping. Need we say more?
Watermelon Moscow Mule
If you’re a fan of the classic mule, made with vodka, ginger beer, and lime, then you’re gonna love the addition of fresh watermelon and mint to it.
Quick Baked Fish with Bread Crumbs and Herbs
This quick and healthy fish dinner requires only a handful of pantry staples and 20 minutes of effort. We swear.
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.
Blueberry Prosecco Spritz
Want to know what we’re sipping all summer long? It’s this easy cocktail of fresh blueberries, lemon juice, simple syrup, sparkling wine, and soda.
Air Fryer Scotch Eggs
These Scotch eggs give you the irresistible combination of tender boiled egg, sausage, and crispy coating minus the mess of deep frying.
Carrot Ribbon Salad
We’re declaring this easy, healthy salad of carrots, cilantro, and toasted cumin vinaigrette your summer go-to salad.
Crispy Smashed Buffalo Potatoes
If, like us, Buffalo wings and smashed potatoes top your list of fave foods, then these crispy Buffalo smashed potatoes will steal your heart.