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Carla Lalli Music head shot - Bon Appétit

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.

How to Make Do With Some Smart Swaps

When the getting isn’t good, your dinner can still be great.

How To Cook With What You Have

“Don’t Waste a Thing” is my new quarantine mantra.

2 Hours of Prep for a Week’s Worth of Meals

Four things that I’m doing to set myself up.

The Only Kitchen Scrubbing Pad That Matters Is Homax Steel Wool

For the gunkiest stuff on my pots, pans, Dutch ovens, and baking sheets, I count on these steel wool pads.

3 Things to Make You Feel Better About Cooking at Home

Finding relief, and release, in front of the stove.

Say You’re Stuck at Home for Two Weeks…

How to prepare so you’ll feel more prepared.

Vegetarian Cooking Can Feel Hard, But This Crispy Tofu Is Easy

I felt like Goldilocks trying to find the perfect tofu recipe, but this one is juuuuuust right.

We Fixed Everything That’s Wrong with Turkey Chili

You’ll want to “gobble” it up—get it!?

Risotto With Mushrooms and Thyme

The path to perfect risotto is all about treating the rice right, but the added umami from torn mushrooms and thyme sure doesn’t hurt.

Before You Buy a Persimmon, Remember This

They’re winter’s greatest delight. But keep in mind which type you’re buying.

Memorize These 3 Words and Eat Well Forever

Beans, greens, and sardines—a healthy rhyme you can actually eat.

Yes, I Splurge on Fancy Aprons—and I Haven’t Regretted it Once

These ones from Alder & Co. make me feel great, and that’s worth it!

Never Cut a Squash Again

Roast them whole into submission first. Then, scoop ‘em!

Eat Your Feelings—They’re Delicious!

The way to Carla Lalli Music’s heart? Through family dinner, of course.

The Thing Your Thanksgiving Is Missing Is…Ham

It makes all the difference when the sandwiches are assembled.

Here’s Why Butter Belongs on Every Sandwich

You can have your mayo and keep your mustard—butter is my weapon of choice.

Cook Beans Once, Solve a Week’s Worth of Dinner Problems

They’re even more versatile than my favorite white T-shirt.