Zaynab Issa
Associate Food Editor
Zaynab Issa is an associate food editor at Bon Appétit. After working on a self-published zine that formalized her family’s East-African Indian recipes, she began freelancing at Buzzfeed and contributing culturally rooted recipes and stories to Bon Appétit and Food52. She’s an avid baker and carb lover. Her approach to recipe development keeps the home cook front of mind, prioritizing ease and flexibility. Zaynab grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Baruch College with a B.A. in Journalism and Marketing. She currently lives in New York and enjoys creating video content for TikTok, scouring thrift stores for platters and purses, and exploring New York’s restaurant scene in her free time.
Crispy Salmon With Fennel-Date Salad
Crispy salmon skin, crunchy fennel salad, and creamy tahini yogurt make this a texture-seeker’s dream dinner.
Gingery Chicken Noodle Soup
Curry powder, lime juice, and skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs amp up boxed stock, delivering massive flavor in minimal time—all in one pot.
Chocolaty Chai
This sweet and spiced chai is a cross between gingery masala chai and rich hot cocoa—the best of both cozy drink worlds.
Kale Salad With Roasted Tempeh and Mushrooms
The secret to a dinner-worthy salad? A deeply savory cooked element, like miso-roasted tempeh and mushrooms.
Masala Skillet Scramble
Meet your new favorite, a cumin-and-jalapeño-spiked take on scrambled eggs. Enjoy them straight out of the skillet or stuff them into tacos.
Coconutty Beans and Greens Stew
Canned beans get a full-on makeover in this creamy, coconutty, spiced stew fortified with Swiss chard and sweet potato—perfect for cold winter days.
Extra-Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Frosting
Tangzhong is the secret to the super-soft dough that encases a brown butter–cinnamon sugar filling and gets topped with a tart cream cheese frosting.
Jammy Onion and Miso Pasta
Inspired by French onion soup, this pasta is deeply savory, relying on umami-rich miso to deliver flavor fast.
The Preserved Lemon Cake That Led to My Dream Job
Go behind the scenes of the test kitchen with associate food editor Zaynab Issa.
Balsamic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts
These deeply caramelized, tender, flavorful sprouts get coated in a simple, sweet-savory sauce and couldn’t be easier to throw together.
Sesame Chicken and Cabbage Salad
Lean on the broiler for a speedy chicken and cabbage salad that’s big on color, crunch, and flavor—and short on time.
Creamy Yukon Golds With Crispy Potato Skins
A game-changing recipe that relies on the oft-discarded potato peels (!) to bring texture and flavor to a classic dish.
Mochi Waffles With Maple–Brown Butter Bananas
This mochi waffle recipe creates a breakfast pastry with a delightfully bouncy chew and a crisp crust that lasts way after it comes off of the iron.
Slicked and Spicy Lamb Noodles
Cumin-inflected noodles of Northern China inspired this weeknight pasta with ground lamb and store-bought noodles.
Caramel Apple Snacking Cake
Classic caramel apples get reimagined as a cake, complete with a glossy top and soft, custardy interior.
Gyoza and Greens With Chile Butter
Transform store-bought dumplings into a restaurant-worthy meal using wilted greens, creamy garlicky yogurt, and plenty of chile butter.
Blackberries and Vanilla Cream With Crispy Puff Pastry
This hassle-free version of delicate mille feuille comes together quickly thanks to store bought puff pastry and a quicker alternative to pastry cream.
Mango Salsa
A juicy, sweet, and spicy accompaniment for fish tacos, grilled chicken, or a big bowl of tortilla chips.
Crispy Coconutty Zucchini Fritters
Inspired by Indian bhajia, these actually crispy fritters feature a hint of coconut for a subtle sweetness.
Honey-Berry-Kombucha Spritzer
Short on time? Use this shortcut to concoct a shrub-like spritzer that tastes way fancier than it is to make.