Chimichurri-induced happiness can be yours with this foolproof, fuss-free, Argentine-approved answer to what’s for dinner.
Karen Depp, Recipe Tester
A list of all the recipes Karen Depp has tested.
Karen Depp began cooking in the 4th grade, making applesauce with her best friend in the backyard, using a candle, tart tin, and paring knife. She advanced to cakes and cookies by the 6th grade and continued to hone her skills as she grew up. She likes to say that the highlight of her culinary career was being admitted to the hallowed halls of LC Testerville. Alas, her first recipe attempt wasn’t so hallowed and resulted in her setting her oven on fire. (We have it on good authority the conflagration had nothing to do with us; her oven was limping along on its last BTU.) Depp modestly claims that her success in the realm of cooking comes from her relationship to good cooks—her mother, two chef brothers-in-law, and a Culinary Institute of America-trained nephew who’s worked with Emeril Lagasse.
Homemade Animal Crackers
Made from scratch with natural ingredients, these are gonna remake all your memories of stale, bland animal crackers in the circus box.
Truffled Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese goes high falutin’ with a drizzle of chichi truffle oil and a few shavings of black truffle. Pricey, perhaps. But well worth it every once in a special while.
Mussels Marinara ~ Cozze alla Marinara
Three ingredients. One pot. And less than 15 minutes from stovetop to table—barely enough time to uncork a bottle of wine or crack open a beer. Somehow, we think you’ll manage.
Velvet Mashed Potatoes
No mere mash, this creamy potato purée owes its uber velvetiness to truly indecent amounts of butter and cream. And we mean that in the best possible way.
Homemade Pasta Dough
Pasta made fresh according to Italian tradition is unspeakably more supple, satisfying, and gratifying than the dried-out store-bought stuff and will make your mouth water. Here’s how to make it at home.
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Making your own pumpkin pie spice is as easy as dumping some spices you probably already have, into a bowl and stirring them together. No need to run to the store. You’re welcome.
Moroccan-Spiced Roast Chicken
What do we adore most about roast chicken? The fix-it-and-forget-about-it-ness of it. That and the countless ways to fancy it up. Here’s one of our fuss-free favorites.
Pepper Sherry
What could be easier than plopping some hot peppers in a bottle of booze, setting it aside for as long as you can resist, and then drizzling it over everything? Exactly.
Whole Roasted Onions
Plonk unpeeled onions on a baking sheet. Shove in oven. Come back later for achingly sweet, tender, mellow oniony goodness. Accept accolades. See how easy that was?