Carla Lalli Music
Food Director Emeritus
Carla spent 10 years working in NYC restaurants and was the first General Manager at Shake Shack before making the leap to food media. Her books include the James Beard Award-winning Where Cooking Begins and That Sounds So Good. Since leaving Bon Appétit in 2020, Carla has increased her online presence via a podcast, cohosted with fellow BA alum Rick Martinez, and YouTube channel. She spends most weekends cooking for friends and family, and packs one helluva school lunch.
My Love For Bulk Bins Can't Be Measured By the Pound
If there's a bulk aisle in your city, Carla Lalli Music will find it.
Why I’m Weirdly Obsessed with Drinking Hot Water
Because your insides deserve a hot shower too.
I Tried Sea Ampoules and Here's What Happened
Plankton is so in right now. How could I resist?
4 Healthy Weeknight Dinner Recipes, Only 1 Has Kale
These are the recipes our food director makes at home: That means they're foolproof.
The Best Chai I've Ever Had
Our food director's quest to recreate an extraordinary, gingery drink.
Chicken with Crispy Rice
If you make the stock ahead of time for this chicken recipe, the fat will solidify when chilled so it’s easy to lift off.
Clams in White Bean Sauce
No need to prep everything ahead: Get your chopping in while the fennel cooks. Just keep an eye on the pot!
Curried Yellow Split Pea Soup with Spiced Coconut
If you have extra time, double the amount of vegetables for this split pea soup recipe, then scoop out half of the soffritto and freeze it for a shortcut another night.
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio With Lots of Kale
You will think this pasta recipe calls for an absurd amount of kale, but it will shrink a ton when cooked.
Omelet With Bacon, Mushrooms, and Ricotta
Don’t sweat rolling this into a perfect omelet; just top the cooked eggs with mushrooms and ricotta, and fold like a taco.
When You Want a Big Pile of Greens, This Will Save You
The holy trinity of greens, eggs, and rice.
Why You Should Give a Coffee Grinder as a Gift—Yes, a Coffee Grinder
Because this one is the absolute best, and they'll never buy it for themselves.
Quick 5-Ingredient Tomato Sauce
You don’t need hours to simmer tomato sauce. This recipe shows you how to make an excellent one in 30 minutes, with 5 ingredients, in 1 pan, with very little effort.
This Tomato Soup Is Kid-Approved
Bon Appétit’s food director would not be upstaged by the tomato soup at her son’s cafeteria.
Carla's Tomato Soup
Make any modifications that suit you and the preferences of your eaters: Onions in place of shallots; carrots for fennel; add garlic; omit the cayenne; a splash of cream instead of butter, as you wish.
Invite This Almond-Date Mix to ALL the Parties
A sweet-and-salty appetizer you can take straight from the oven to the table—that's our idea of easy party food.
This Date Shake (Okay, Fine, It's a Milkshake) Is a Life Necessity
Score a date with this milkshake.
A Breakfast Smoothie the Kids Won't Even Know Is Healthy(!)
Our food director's trick for getting her kids to down fruit smoothies: give 'em a fancy name.