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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.

Culture

I Won’t Grill Without My Trusty Headlamp

’Cause it’s actually way dorkier to look ill prepared.
Cooking

The Easiest No-Cook Side You’ll Make All Season

Sugar snap peas are so tender and fresh this time of the year, we like ‘em raw with a tangy, creamy dressing.
Culture

Nobody’s Perfect, Except for This Pizza

Coming up with all the recipes for each component was such a mega-mindmeld, we had to make a TV show about it.
Recipes

White Pesto Pasta

Built of toasted nuts, creamy ricotta, and salty Parmesan, you don’t even need a food processor to make this riff on the normal pesto you know and love.
Cooking

What Did Artichokes Ever Do to You?

Americans hate artichokes, and I hate that.
Cooking

Why Deep Fry When You Can Dry Fry?

These Blistered Green Beans with Garlic are all the convincing I need.
Cooking

My Broccoli Delight Recipe Won’t Be Censored Any Longer

It’s the best thing I ever made (apparently), but no one would let me share it—until now.
Cooking

Food Tastes Better When You Shop Smarter

The schlep-less, annoyance-free path to better meals.
Cooking

Don’t Even Ask, Because I Will Not Share This Savory Breakfast With You

Fatteh hummus serves four, but it’s mine, all mine.
Cooking

A Shortcut Soup for the Sunday Blues

Lean into winter, she’s almost gone.
Cooking

You Probably Have Way Too Many Spices in Your Spice Drawer

Right this way to the stuff you should actually be keeping around—and exactly how to use them.
Lifestyle

The Best Sweet Potatoes are Steamed, and I Don't Want to Hear About It

Fluffy, pudding-like sweet potatoes are even better topped with tahini butter and a generous shake of sesame seeds.
Lifestyle

How to Make a Killer Fruit Salad No Matter the Time of Year

It’s a simple formula: sweet-juicy fruit, crunchy-salty nuts, and chewy-fatty cheese.
Recipes

Instant Pot Tomato Soup

A straight-down-the-middle, nostalgic-tasting tomato soup with long-cooked flavor and a short cook time.
Cooking

This Omelet Solves Your “What’s For Dinner?” Problem Once and For All

All you need is eggs, ricotta, bacon, mushrooms—and about 15 minutes.
Cooking

When Life Gives You Avocados, Make Water

Less dipping, more sipping.
Cooking

Overripe Bananas Have a Heaven, and It’s This Banana Bread

The search for the best of the best ends here.
Recipes

Fresh Fruit With Cheese and Peppery Nuts

Make this fail-safe combination of sweet-juicy fruit, crunchy-salty nuts, and chewy-fatty cheese your all-season salad template.