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.
Instant Pot Black Bean Soup
This black bean soup is seasoned with a heavy hand. If you are salt- or spice-averse, decrease the amount of salt to 1½ tsp. and use 1 chipotle chile with 1 tsp. adobo sauce instead.
Use the Saucy Glossy Technique for the Best Pasta
Food director Carla Lalli Music shares tips and tricks for her favorite mushroom and prosciutto pasta in her weekly newsletter.
If Loving Beans Is a Crime, I’m Officially Screwed
Carla Lalli Music ate a bowl of magic brothy butter beans. Now she has the secret recipe, and she's ready to evangelize.
Why I’ll Never Buy Applesauce Again
In her weekly newsletter, food director Carla Lalli Music shares the only way to make applesauce
This Is The Lemoniest Lemon Pound Cake You’ll Ever Make
Lemon juice, lemon zest, and lemon glaze make damn sure of that.
This Is the Only Way to Make Popcorn
In her weekly newsletter, Carla Lalli Music shares her love for the cheesy-spicy popcorn tastes like Doritos.
Holy Moly, Make Pasta e Fagioli and Fried Bread Tonight
Carla Lalli Music proclaims it’s make-soup-and-nap season in her weekly newsletter.
These Are the Best Homemade Granola Bars I’ve Ever Had
Food director Carla Lalli Music shares why she really loves these granola bars in her weekly newsletter.
Silky Peanut Butter Dressing
Adding silken tofu to the base of this kid-approved recipe both enriches it with a little added protein and lends it a satiny texture.
This Semolina Cake Is Like the Early Setting Sun
Food director Carla Lalli Music shares how this cake is "citrus, spice, and everything nice" in her weekly newsletter.
Stop Shaming Turkey Burgers
Food director Carla Lalli Music shares why this recipe deserves its own night of the week in her newsletter.
I Hate All Zucchini Recipes—Except This One
In her weekly newsletter, food director Carla Lalli Music talks about the only zucchini recipe she’ll ever make.
The Summer of Pork Fat
Food director Carla Lalli Music makes a case for double-pork carnitas in August.
Berries and Cream: The Best Summer Dessert to Make Now
Summer should be as simple as this berries and cream dessert.
This Mango Slushy Is a Personal Air Conditioner
Read the latest edition of the Test Kitchen Dispatch by Bon Appétit food director Carla Lalli Music.
I Love This Sandwich at Least as Much as My Actual Children
A weekly dispatch from Bon Appétit food director Carla Lalli Music.
If You’re Gonna Cook on Vacation, Bring These Kitchen Tools with You
Give that vacation rental (and all those lazy-day meals) a serious upgrade with BYO knives, spices, and yes, even a blender.
You’re Gonna Try This Fruit Salad and You’re Gonna Love It
A weekly dispatch from Bon Appétit food director Carla Lalli Music.