Recipes

92 Cooking Projects to Keep You Busy and Extremely Well Fed

Steaming  soup dumplings, fluffy milk bread, and more cooking adventures to get fully consumed by. 
Pork wontons with sesame sauce
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Lillian Chou, prop styling by Beatrice Chastka

There’s nothing like cooking projects to focus the mind and put idle hands to work. Whether it’s throwing together a few big-batch recipes to set you up for the week or taking your time through one steppy, complicated dessert, following a recipe is one of our favorite ways to channel our energy into one time- and attention-hogging task. The one thing that makes it better than binge-watching an entire season of that show you heard about on Twitter? There’s actually something to show for it at the end. Whether you’re in the mood for a deeply comforting moussaka, a big flavor black-and-white concha, or a mesmerizingly beautiful squash and caramelized onion tart, these are the cooking projects to dive into when what you really want is something to do.

  • Image may contain Plant Food Vegetable and Cabbage
    Christopher Testani
    1/92

    Pork Soup Dumplings

    There's an art to eating soup dumplings: Nibble a bite, cautiously slurp the soup, then eat the rest.

    View Recipe
  • Bowl of Squash au Vin
    Photo by David Malosh, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Cindy Diprima
    2/92

    Squash au Vin

    Something very special happens when you give winter squash the coq au vin treatment.

    View Recipe
  • Samosa Recipe
    Photo by Laura Murray, food styling by Yekaterina Boystova
    3/92

    Amma’s Samosas

    These deliciously savory crispy fried samosas from Amma restaurant in New York feature a spiced potato filling packed with bright, lemony flavor.

    View Recipe
  • Caramelglazed apples baked on a rectangle of puff pastry.
    Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    4/92

    Glazed and Flaky Apple Tart

    If you're the type who prefers fruit desserts that go heavy on the fruit, this flaky, crunchy, juicy apple tart's for you.

    View Recipe
  • This image may contain Bowl Food Dish Meal Plant Soup Bowl Produce Soup and Vegetable
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Megan Hedgpeth
    5/92

    Slow-Cooked Chicken Stew with Kale

    A flavorful chicken stew that gets every iota of value from the chicken bones.

    View Recipe
  • This image may contain Food Bread and Breakfast
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    6/92

    Sweet Cinnamon Tamal

    Baking a single large-format tamal may not be traditional, but it produces a similarly tender, moist, barely sweet cake with pudding vibes.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Food Bread and Bun
    Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by Pearl Jones
    9/92

    Black-and-White Conchas

    Why have a chocolate- or vanilla-flavored concha when you can have both in this New York–inspired twist on the classic Mexican sweet bread?

    View Recipe
  • Bowl of Amiel Stanek's French Onion Noodle Soup
    Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by Yekaterina Boystova
    10/92

    French Onion Beef Noodle Soup

    This super-savory dish draws inspiration from Taiwanese beef noodle soup, then gilds the lily with a Dutch oven’s worth of sweet, slow-simmered onions.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Food Sandwich and Burger
    Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Pearl Jones
    13/92

    Spicy Chicken Katsu Sandwiches

    The shattering panko crispiness of katsu-style cutlets plus the fiery heat of Nashville-style hot chicken, all in one sandwich.

    View Recipe
  • A shallow bowl filled with pappardelle Bolognese.
    Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Kate Buckens
    14/92

    BA’s Best Bolognese

    It doesn’t take a lot of ingredients (or a lot of money) to make a classic Bolognese recipe. What it does take, though, is patience!

    View Recipe
  • This image may contain Plant Vegetable Nut Food Seed Pecan Grain Produce and Fruit
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susan Spungen, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    15/92

    Double Pecan Thumbprints

    These buttery frangipane-filled pecan buttons are decadent without being fragile, and they make excellent cookies for boxing up and giving as gifts.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Fork Cutlery Cream Food Dessert Ice Cream Creme Plant Noodle Pasta and Home Decor
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    16/92

    Enchiladas Divorciadas

    Why choose between verde and roja salsa when you can have both?

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Food Bread Plant Dish Meal and Breakfast
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Megan Hedgpeth
    19/92

    Silky Pork and Cumin Stew

    Serve this huge pot of flavorful stew as the centerpiece surrounded by fixings that guests can pick and choose to build their own bowls.

    View Recipe
  • Masala Fried Chicken
    Photo by Laura Murray, Food styling by Yekaterina Boystova
    20/92

    Masala Fried Chicken

    The vibrant flavor and color of this spicy, finger-licking-good fried chicken comes from an abundance of ground dried spices, so be sure to use the freshest ones you can find.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Food Bread Bread Loaf and French Loaf
    Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    21/92

    Swirled Sesame Tea Cake

    The intense, savory sesame flavor balances out the sweetness of the loaf for an addicting snack or dessert. For tahini lovers!

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Bowl Food Dish Meal Plant Soup Bowl Produce and Curry
    Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou
    22/92

    French-ish Onion Soup

    Onions, garlic, oil, wine, and salt are all it takes to make a rich vegan broth that still evokes the classic version.

    View Recipe
  • Two rows of enchiladas topped with melted cheese and salsa verde in a roasting dish with a serving spoon.
    Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou
    23/92

    Vegetarian Enchiladas

    These veggie enchiladas feature a charred tomatillo salsa verde, creamy pinto beans, and plenty of cheese.

    View Recipe
  • A plate of ham and cheese empanadas
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Pearl Jones
    24/92

    Ham, Cheese, and Onion Empanadas

    Like your empanadas fried? This dough was specifically developed to withstand hot oil, and it works beautifully with any filling of your choosing.

    View Recipe
  • Applewalnut upsidedown cake recipe
    Photo by Chelsie Craig, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    27/92

    Apple-Walnut Upside-Down Cake

    Tender, nutty, and studded with caramel-glazed apple halves, Claire Saffitz’s apple cake is the best apple cake. (There, we said it.)

    View Recipe
  • Four bowls of risotto each with a different topping including snap peas burst cherry tomatoes sauteed mushrooms and...
    Photo by Ted + Chelsea Cavanaugh, Food Styling by Simon Andrews
    28/92

    BA’s Best Risotto

    With four ways to dress it up, this simple risotto recipe is worthy of a dinner party—but it's also delicious topped with nothing at all.

    View Recipe
  • Pan of pretzel focaccia
    Photo by Laura Murray, Food styling by Yekaterina Boystova
    29/92

    Pretzel Focaccia

    One of the easiest breads to make at home gets pretzel-ified with a highly burnished, salt-coated crust and a delightfully bitter twang. 

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Dish Food Meal Pork and Platter
    Photo by Chelsie Craig, Food Styling by Kate Buckens
    30/92

    Maiale al Latte (Milk-Braised Pork)

    This traditional Italian braised pork roast may not be one of the most photogenic dishes you’ll ever make, but it sure is one of the tastiest.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Plant Food Vegetable and Produce
    Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boytsova
    31/92

    Squash and Caramelized Onion Tart

    For a vegetarian main that can hold its own at the center of the table, this tart makes a very convincing argument.

    View Recipe
  • Sliced Pork Katsu sandwich from Konbi Los Angeles CA
    Photo by Alex Lau
    32/92

    Pork Katsu Sandwich

    Juicy pork, squishy milk bread, and sweet-tangy Tonkatsu sauce. This sandwich from Konbi in Los Angeles couldn’t be more perfect.

    View Recipe
  • TamarindGlazed Black Bass With CoconutHerb Salad recipe
    Photo by Laura Murray, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Sophie Strangio
    33/92

    Tamarind-Glazed Black Bass With Coconut-Herb Salad

    This sweet-and-sour glaze is good on fish, chicken, ribs—you name it. 

    View Recipe
  • Platter of Lobster Pasta with white wine
    Photo by Laura Murray, Food styling by Kat Boystova, prop styling by Allie Wist
    34/92

    Lobster Pasta

    A creamy, eye rollingly rich pasta sauce that tastes deeply lobstery, but even more deeply of love.

    View Recipe
  • A bunch of forkcrimped beef empanadas on a platter one broken in half to reveal the filling.
    Alex Lau
    35/92

    Argentinian Beef Empanadas

    For these baked empanadas, Gaby Melian says the addition of green olives and raisins in the filling is essential. 

    View Recipe
  • Fried chicken
    Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Pearl Jones
    36/92

    Healthyish Fried Chicken

    We really went for it here, drawing on the flavor and texture of idli podi (a coarsely ground spice mixture that also goes by the name “gunpowder spice”) to create a gluten-free version of craggy-crunchy fried chicken. Our version swaps chickpea flour and sesame seeds for wheat flour, and, once fried, we dust it with lime zest, coconut, and crushed red pepper flakes. Be sure to fry the chicken to a deep brown to create superior crunch and coax out the nutty flavors of the chickpea flour and sesame seeds. And don’t skip the honey: It will balance out all the bold flavors.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Bowl Food Dish Meal Curry Soup Bowl and Soup
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Megan Hedgpeth
    37/92

    Warm-Spiced Saucy Lamb Stew

    Harissa and lamb are a fantastic marriage in this hearty stew with minty yogurt.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Food Bread French Loaf and Bread Loaf
    Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Sue Li
    38/92

    Sweet Potato Tea Cake

    Instead of icing, this spiced loaf from Elizabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson’s ‘Tartine: A Classic Revisited’ is blanketed in a fluffy vanilla meringue.

    View Recipe
  • Duck Carnitas Tacos With Radish Escabèche
    Photo by Laura Murray, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    39/92

    Duck Carnitas Tacos With Radish Escabèche

    Luscious slow-roasted duck confit with crispy duck skin chicharrones are the star of Rick Martinez’s extremely extra carnitas. 

    View Recipe
  • This image may contain Food Bread Toast and French Toast
    Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Pearl Jones
    40/92

    Milk Bread

    Soft as clouds, white as snow, Japanese milk bread is the tender everyday loaf we want to bake right now.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Food Dish Meal Bowl Soup Bowl Curry Stew and Soup
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Megan Hedgpeth
    43/92

    Oxtail and Red Wine Stew

    Oxtails contain a ton of collagen, which melts into the stew to create an ultra-rich, ultra-silky texture and flavor.

    View Recipe
  • This image may contain Food and Fungus
    Photo by Alex Lau
    44/92

    Tamales

    Two recipes that will get everyone in the kitchen.

    View Story
  • Image may contain Food Human Person Meal Supper Dinner Dish Pizza Plant and Produce
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    45/92

    Jerk-Spiced Duck

    Duck has an unfair reputation for being fussy, but not this sticky-spiced, finger-licking-good version.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Dish Food Meal Plant Bowl Stew Produce and Vegetable
    Alex Lau
    46/92

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast

    The ultimate comfort food. Make this recipe your own depending on what you’ve got in the house. 

    View Recipe
  • A slice of lasagna on a white plate
    Photograph by Elizabeth Coetzee, prop styling by Emma Ringness, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht
    49/92

    BA’s Best Lasagna

    Layers of ragù and béchamel are all that’s right in this world.

    View Recipe
  • Homemade Pupusas Recipe
    Photo by Alex Lau, styling by Sean Dooley
    50/92

    Pupusas

    Once you taste this classic Salvadoran dish, you’ll definitely want to experiment with the fillings.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Plant Lentil Food Bean Vegetable Produce Cutlery Spoon Dish and Meal
    Alex Lau
    51/92

    Classic Cassoulet

    Layers of duck, two kinds of sausage, a hearty ragout, and beans make this the comfort meal to end all comfort meals. It’s an occasion to break out the biggest pot you own. Our classic cassoulet recipe takes no shortcuts and requires a little planning, but every step is totally doable, even if you’re not a pro.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Food Bread Pizza and Plant
    52/92

    Kouign-Amann

    Though the dough can be temperamental, layer after delicate layer will convince you: Making this pastry is worth the effort.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Plant Food Meal Vegetable Dish and Produce
    Linda Xiao
    53/92

    Double-Pork Carnitas

    It’s worth seeking out pork belly for the amazing texture it lends, but if you can’t get it, substitute with another pound of shoulder.

    View Recipe
  • Overhead shot of chocolate cream pie with flaky crust chocolate pudding and mounds of whipped cream dusted with cocoa.
    Photo by Ted + Chelsea Cavanaugh, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    54/92

    Chocolate Pudding Pie

    A dazzling chocolate pudding pie cloaked in voluminous whipped cream.

    View Recipe
  • Overhead shot of a casserole dish of moussaka with one slice removed to a plate.
    Alex Lau
    57/92

    Moussaka

    Our best recipe for moussaka has layers of eggplant, rich tomato sauce with ground lamb, and a pillowy, bronzed béchamel top. Plus: It can be made ahead.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Food Confectionery Sweets Dessert Dish Meal Fruit Pineapple Plant Pastry Icing Cake and Creme
    Alex Lau
    58/92

    Croquembouche

    Is this caramel cream-puff skyscraper a showstopper? Yes. Is it a major-league project? Yes! Here’s the strategy: Make the puffs and the pastry cream a couple of days in advance, then tackle assembly on the morning of the day you plan to serve this.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Food Meal and Dish
    Christopher Testani
    59/92

    Glazed Fried Chicken with Old Bay and Cayenne

    Three steps to success: A flavorful brine infuses the chicken with seasoning and keeps it juicy, an overnight chill allows the crust to set, and a spicy glaze seals the deal.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Tool Axe Human Person Food and Finger
    Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski
    60/92

    Shortcut Puff Pastry

    When this buttery, flakey puff pastry comes out of the oven, chances are you'll be shocked to remember you made it yourself.

    View Recipe
  • Manicotti in a ceramic dish
    Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi, Prop Styling by Alex Massillon
    61/92

    Manicotti

    This manicotti recipe is made with crepes instead of dried pasta, for a result that’s both delicate and hardy.

    View Recipe
  • A slice of Brooklyn Blackout Cake with three layers of sponge two layer of chocolate pudding and a ganache frosting.
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Judy Mancini.
    62/92

    Brooklyn Blackout Cake

    Three layers of super moist cake + two layers of creamy pudding = a chocolate lover’s dream.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Food Meal Pizza and Dish
    Photo by Marcus Nilsson, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Prop Styling by Angharad Bailey
    63/92

    Pork Shoulder Braciola with Ragù

    Parmesan-stuffed pork shoulder with a Sunday gravy in the same pot. Get after it.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Food and Pizza
    Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott
    64/92

    Grandma-Style Pizza Dough

    The second rise is key to the finished pie’s texture; if baked too soon, the dough will be firm and too chewy. Make sure it feels floppy, with plenty of puffy air bubbles.

    View Recipe
  • chicken tikka masala recipe
    Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Judy Mancini
    65/92

    Chicken Tikka Masala

    The yogurt helps tenderize the chicken; the garlic, ginger, and spices in the marinade infuse it with lots of flavor.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Food Dish and Meal
    Alex Lau
    66/92

    Pork Enchiladas Rojas

    If you can’t find guajillo chiles, use New Mexico or Californian chiles, and for moritas, try chipotle chiles in adobo. 

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Dish Food Meal and Roast
    Marcus Nilsson
    69/92

    Duck Confit with Spicy Pickled Raisins

    The best part of making duck confit? All the rich fat you’re left with. Use it to roast potatoes­—it’s an easy way to upgrade a classic. Whatever you do, don’t throw it away (it freezes well).

    View Recipe
  • Overhead shot of carrot cake topped with candied carrot coins. Two slices have been cut away and transferred to dessert...
    Photo by Alex Lau
    70/92

    BA’s Best Carrot Cake

    With crunch from toasted walnuts and an optional boozy punch from rum-plumped raisins, this is the only carrot cake recipe you’ll ever need.

    View Recipe
  • Spanakopita pie on a platter with a wispy ring of phyllo pastry around the edges and a darkgreen spinach filling in the...
    Alex Lau
    71/92

    Spanakopita Pie

    This spanakopita is crowned with a ruffly ring of crisp phyllo pastry. The more folds and wrinkles you create as you bundle this up, the prettier it looks.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Food Egg Dessert Custard and Cake
    Alex Lau
    72/92

    Portuguese Egg Custard Tarts

    You can make the creamy, custardy treat with an earth-shattering crust at home—in a muffin pan!

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Food Dish Meal Plant Stew Vegetable and Produce
    Photo by Alex Lau
    79/92

    Instant Pot Coq au Vin

    Instead of hours in the oven, this classic French braise only needs 15 minutes in the Instant Pot.

    View Recipe
  • Overhead shot of a deepdish apple pie.
    Photo by Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriot
    80/92

    Best-Ever Apple Pie

    Claire Saffitz’s cardamom- and cider-spiked apple pie will rival any bakery version.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Food Bread and Peanut Butter
    Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
    85/92

    Caramel Ice Cream

    A dark caramel has the necessary bitter edge to balance the sweet richness of the custard. Let it cook until it’s mahogany in color.

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Food Bread Dessert Confectionery Sweets Dish Meal Bagel and Pastry
    Alex Lau
    86/92

    Monkey Bread

    The key to the buttery flavor of monkey bread is the brioche dough.

    View Recipe
  • A single unwrapped tamal on a plate with a lime wedge next to a platter of more pork tamales.
    Photo by Alex Lau
    91/92

    Pork Tamales Rojos

    If you can spread peanut butter on bread, you can make these homemade tamales filled with pork slathered in a bright red chile purée. 

    View Recipe
  • Image may contain Food Dish Meal Pasta and Bowl
    Alex Lau
    92/92

    Stuffed Shells with Marinara

    Remember: If the shells are perfectly cooked in the first step, they’ll be mushy and flabby after baking. This recipe is from Palizzi Social Club in Philadelphia, PA.

    View Recipe
Explore Bon AppétitWeekendholiday2018PastaLasagnaDessert