In Good Taste

Chicken Parmigiana Baked Ziti

I know it seems counterintuitive that I would create a recipe for chicken parmigiana baked ziti when I have a recipe for neither chicken parmigiana or baked ziti on this site.

Yet, somehow, here it is. In all it's baked, mozzarella cheese-y glory. You see, ziti and I go way back. When I was in high school my family moved to a new house and while we were waiting for the construction to be completed at said new house, we lived in a rental. We were supposed to be in said rental for about a month, which stretched into six, but in the meantime, did very little unpacking of belongings. Kitchen-related belongings, like the kind used to cook large meals of food, were among them.

Planning Your First Thanksgiving Dinner [25 Delicious Recipes!]

So, you're planning your first Thanksgiving. The meal of all meals, the marathon of holiday dinners. If you're a beginner cook or if you don't have a lot of experience cooking large meals, preparing a Thanksgiving dinner is no doubt, a daunting task.

Thanksgiving might fall on November 25 this year, but the holiday starts well before the fourth Thursday of every month. If you're new to the game of cooking for crowds in the double-digits (and aren't we all at some point?) follow some simple planning tips and look to the menu ideas below to dazzle your dinner guests and welcome the holiday season with gusto.

Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes (Gluten-Free Curried Pumpkin Soup)

Last week I wrote a series of Thanksgiving side dish recipes for Craft Magazine. It was a fun series, and one that challenged me because all of the recipes had to be gluten-free. I don't have any dietary restrictions or sensitivities (unless you count the fact that I hate chocolate and peanut butter together. I do. I know I'm a freak of nature) so I rarely pay attention to whether or not my recipes are gluten free.

Secret Ingredients (Recipe: Butternut Squash & Black Bean Enchilada Bake)

Have you ever encountered an ingredient that you've heard of, eaten in restaurants and knew you liked, but because you've never cooked with it you assumed it must be hard and avoided it?

Wait, don't answer that. Yes you have. I know you have because I have and I want to assume that you are all standing with me in solidarity in what was once a fear - maybe even a phobia - of cooking with chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce.

Worknight Dinner Recipe: Turkey Bolognese (oh...and...winner!)

Earlier this week, in the first of my 10 First Kitchen Commandments series, I taunted you with a Le Creuset French oven giveaway. Today, we have a winner.

Congratulations to commenter #121, Laura from Real Mom Kitchen, the winner of the Le Creuset giveaway! Her favorite answer to the question, "what is your favorite recipe?" is:

I love my creamy chicken noodle and would use this to make it in!!!!!