Kendra Vaculin
Contributor
Originally from the San Francisco East Bay, Kendra has worked in food media (Epicurious, Eater, Food52) and test kitchens (Blue Apron) across New York City since 2014, as a writer, recipe developer, food stylist, and producer. She was Bon Appétit's Test Kitchen Editor until 2025, where she thought a lot about what you should make for dinner, developing recipes for her monthly column Speedy Does It and overseeing the Dinner Is Served section of the print magazine. Outside of weeknight cooking, she loves back-pocket desserts, produce-centric picnic food, and stuff to make for a party. She likes ice cream more than vegetables, but it's much closer than you'd think.
Recipes
Turmeric-Lime Chicken With Pumpkin Seed Salsa
A spiced lime and yogurt marinade tenderizes and flavors this spatchcocked chicken, served with a salsa made from vegetables and pepitas roasted alongside.
Recipes
Grapefruit Crudo
Treating grapefruit like raw fish gives you permission to get as fancy as you’d like plating and arranging this textural winter salad.
Recipes
Lemon-Chile White Fish With Chickpeas
Don’t be fooled by the short ingredient list: Jammy sliced lemons, sizzled garlic, and mild Aleppo-style pepper make this speedy fish dinner one to remember.
Recipes
Banana-Blueberry Smoothie With Tahini
A grown-up drinkable take on the classic combo of PB&J, with tahini for nutty richness and cinnamon and vanilla for a little added complexity.
Recipes
Citrus-Braised Pork With Crispy Shallots
This slow-simmered pork shoulder essentially makes itself, becoming fall-apart tender in a glossy soy-and-orange sauce with barely any intervention from you.
Recipes
Creamy Strawberry-Ginger Smoothie
Sweet strawberry, zingy ginger, and creamy yogurt join forces in this punchy pink refresher. Added dates ensure the final smoothie isn’t overly tart.
Recipes
Mango and Greens Smoothie
This green smoothie gets its kick of nutrients from a heap of spinach or kale and its energizing tropical vibes from coconut water.
Recipes
Lemon-Poppy Seed Tart
Simple but party-worthy, this tart features a tender shortbread press-in crust and bright custardy filling that sets on top while it bakes.
Recipes
Skillet Chicken With Tangy-Sweet Peperonata
Seared chicken and salty cheese on a skillet of rustic, stewy sweet peppers—this weeknight-friendly dinner goes from the oven to the table with ease.
Cooking
Jarred Red Peppers Are the Holy Trifecta of Speedy, Smoky, and Sweet
It’s a shortcut to toppings, sauces, braises, and more
Recipes
Cozy Wonton Soup
An aromatic pork filling and finishing scoop of chili crisp make this homey wonton soup as flavorful as it is comforting.
Recipes
Spinach Pilaf Pie
Slices of this bright and lemony greens-packed pilaf hold their shape once wrapped in a simple yogurt dough and baked until golden brown.
Recipes
All-Purpose Vegetable Stock
The ideal starting point for soups, stews, risotto, and more—with a heavy hand of umami and deep, roasty flavors.
Recipes
Tempeh Bowls With Nut Butter Sauce
Using pre-peeled and cubed butternut squash and any nut butter of your choosing makes this bright and wholesome dinner a breeze to bring together.
Recipes
Cheesy Mushroom Galette
Umami lovers rejoice. This savory vegetarian mushroom galette recipe features mushrooms two ways: in a rich duxelles-style spread and scattered over the top.
Recipes
Harissa Sweet Potato Tarte Tatin
Make this spiced and savory take on the French classic as a dinner party side dish or weeknight vegetarian main.
Recipes
Lemon-Oregano Shrimp and Tiny Potatoes
This speedy weeknight dinner is anything but bland thanks to the flavorful combination of garlic, capers, fresh oregano, and lemon.
Cooking
Anything Chicken Can Do, Shrimp Can Do Faster
Like this weeknight winner with little potatoes and garlicky butter.
Cooking
For the Flakiest Pie Crust, a Little Gin Goes a Long Way
Yes, gin. Vodka works too, depending on your bar cart.
Recipes
Spice-Crusted Ham With Brown Sugar Glaze
A show-stopping, relatively hands-off main built for a dinner party or holiday meal.