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
Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Club
Cranberry sauce, mustard, leftover sliced turkey, a few pieces of bacon (never hurt!), and three pieces of bread make this sandwich a post-holiday slam dunk.
Recipes
Spiced Egg Crepe for One
Level up your solo dinner game with this dead simple, spice-packed glorified omelet for one—just don’t forget the ketchup.
Recipes
Fried Chicken With Cranberry-Mustard Sauce
Free up your oven and make the case for crispy, crunchy, sage and thyme-y fried chicken this Thanksgiving.
Recipes
Boquerones With Green Olives and Orange
Transform preserved fish into a stunner of an entertaining appetizer with a handful of fridge and pantry staples.
Recipes
Pistachio-Sesame Cheese Ball
Boursin cheese’s shape practically begs to be turned into a nut-and-seed-coated, party-ready cheese ball.
Recipes
Sheet-Pan Meatballs With Burst Tomatoes and Parmesan Toast
Oven-roasted cherry tomatoes are the star of this easy sheet-pan dinner featuring herb-studded meatballs and cheesy, garlicky toast.
Recipes
Marinated Mozzarella and Peppadew Peppers
Make this easy recipe for Marinated mozzarella balls at the last minute or up to two days in advance. It’s the perfect appetizer to pair with an antipasto platter or charcuterie board.
Recipes
Rosemary-Sizzled Salami, Dates, and Pecans
Salty, crunchy, sweet, and meaty, this warm mix is a combination of party appetizer heavy hitters.
Recipes
Za’atar Fire Crackers
In this twist on a Southern classic, saltine crackers take a bath in oil and tangy za’atar to become golden, glossy, extra-crunchy party starters.
Recipes
Make-Ahead Sausage and Caramelized Onion Stuffing
Free up space in your oven on Thanksgiving for other heavy hitters by assembling and baking this stuffing the day before.
Recipes
Old Bay Chips With Lemon Mayo
Gussied up store-bought potato chips and mayonnaise brings your average chips and dip to the next level—and with very little effort.
Recipes
Cheesy Dutch Baby
Thick and eggy with a browned cheesy top, this puffed pancake (as well as the dressing for the arugula salad on top) comes together entirely in the blender.
Cooking
This Extra Thick Dutch Baby Is an Extra Comforting Weeknight Dinner
Cheesy, herby, custardy—what’s not to love?
Recipes
Sweet Potato Pie With Marshmallow Whipped Cream
Amplify the standard Thanksgiving sweet potato pie recipe with fresh ginger, a trio of spices, and the coups de grâce: marshmallow-spiked whipped cream.
Cooking
How to Make a Melty, Gooey, Glorious Patty Melt
This iconic sandwich is a formula, not a hard-and-fast rule.
Recipes
Spicy Sausage Patty Melt
Any ground meat can be a patty melt if it dreams big enough. This twist on the diner classic touts spiced chorizo, pickled jalapeños, and creamy Oaxaca cheese.
Recipes
Pork Chops With Frisée-Apple Salad
The classic pairing of pork and apples, reimagined as a weeknight meal. A salad packed with sliced apples and pickled chiles balances simple, saucy pork chops.
Recipes
Spiced Beef and Refried Bean Tostadas
Weeknight dinner can't get much easier—or tastier—thanks to these spiced beef tostadas.
Cooking
No-Cook Tomato Sauce Is a Scam
This barely cooked version has way more flavor, and it clings to pasta just right.