Where we live in Virginia, it rained the entire Memorial Day weekend. Sadly that meant my family's plans for grilled ribs and corn were dampened, along with our town's fireworks display. Luckily, we have all summer to enjoy grilling and hanging out with friends and neighbors. We plan to throw a top-your-own grilled pizza party and grill perfect steaks. (Thanks, Ina!)
Even more luckily, Simply Recipes has an armload of new recipes that are impossible not to crave. From editor Laural Randolph's creamy cavatappi to a dill-icious pickle pizza, there are so many to choose from. Here are our most popular ones from May.
1. Homemade Chili Crisp
When I realized I could save so much money making homemade chili crisp instead of buying it, I stopped skimping and started adding it to everything—I couldn't get enough! This version has crispy garlic and shallots, which delivers so much crunch.
2. Cheeseburger Casserole
Our readers couldn't get enough of this homemade take on Hamburger Helper. Brown the ground beef with spices while the pasta cooks. Toss both into a casserole dish with cheese and bake for 30 minutes. Name a more comforting and easy weeknight meal. (Well, maybe this viral chicken cobbler!)
3. Fusilli with Spring Vegetables and Breadcrumbs
This 30-minute pasta calls for a brilliant ingredient to create a creamy sauce with no effort. Try it once and you'll never look back.
4. Grilled Potatoes
Firing up the grill? No reason you shouldn't throw potatoes on and let the flames and smoke coat the spuds. Mike Lang, the recipe developer, suggests a dipping sauce like remoulade or romesco, or if you’re also grilling steak, try chimichurri.
5. Strawberries and Cream Semifreddo
Though it sounds fancy, semifreddo is an icy dessert that is easier to make than ice cream. Plus, you don't need special equipment to make it. This simple, refreshing, and not-too-sweet frozen treat shows off peak-season strawberries.
6. Coffee Coconut Banana Bread Cake
Simply Recipes recently turned 20 and we celebrated by asking Dorie Greenspan (and four other amazing bakers) to riff on our banana bread recipe. Dorie's version is a coffee and coconut banana cake with swirls of espresso cream cheese. Yum!
7. Classic Beurre Blanc Sauce
Beurre blanc is my secret to getting my kids to eat more vegetables. They'll eat roasted onions, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus if doused in this creamy, buttery, and decadent sauce.
8. Smoked Chicken Wings
You don't need a dedicated smoker to make these smoky wings that fall right off the bone. Mike walks you through how to set up your gas or charcoal grill to create a plume of smoke.
9. Chow Chow Relish
Though chow chow is traditionally a late summer bounty project, it seems like some of our readers are already blessed with an early crop of green tomatoes and peppers. This recipe comes from Stephanie Burt, a true Southerner that grew up celebrating this staple Southern condiment every summer.
10. How to Steam Broccoli Perfectly Every Time
Steaming broccoli (or any vegetable) is a basic cooking skill that everyone should be armed with. It means you can always have a healthy and delicious side. Be careful not to oversteam the broccoli and aim for far from mushy and bright green.