Bon Appétit

It’s that old, familiar season, and we’re not just talking about eggnog, we’re talking about the season of “Best Of” lists. Here at BA, we’ve got plenty of best recipe round-ups in the pipeline, but those lists only tell half the story. In our eyes, the best recipes aren’t always the ones that “break the internet” (though sometimes they are—we’re looking at you Caramel Apple Cookies). They’re the ones that surprised us, taught us something new, or became our back-pocket go-tos week after week and month after month. This week, Amanda is joined by senior cooking editor Sarah Jampel and Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco to talk about which of this year’s recipes have stuck with them most. The result is a Best Of list that’s a bit less objective, a lot more opinionated, but still extremely delicious. Then, associate food editor Kendra Vaculin is back to talk about her favorite holiday recipes for kids.

Stuff we talk about in this episode: 

BA's official Top Ten Recipes List of 2021: https://bonappetit.com/gallery/most-popular-recipes-2021

Roxanna Jullapat’s Granola Scones recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/granola-scones

Bon Appétit on Roxanna Jullapat’s Book, Mother Grains: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/mother-grains-roxana-jullapat

Shilpa Uskokovic’s Air Fryer Chile-Honey-Glazed Fries recipe : https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/chile-honey-glazed-fries

Hetty McKinnon’s Pea and Ricotta Potstickers With Homemade Dumpling Wrappers recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/pea-and-ricotta-potstickers

Dumpling Articles from Hetty McKinnon: 

How to Fold Dumplings For Novices and Experts with Hetty McKinnon: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/dumpling-folding-guide

The Many Ways to Cook Dumplings, Explained: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/dumpling-cooking-methods

Hetty’s 12 Tips for Homemade Dumplings : https://www.bonappetit.com/story/dumpling-making-tips

Hetty McKinnon’s article on the dumpling dowel: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/dumpling-dowel

Kelly Janke’s Salted Caramel Apple Cookies recipe : https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/salted-caramel-apple-cookies

Rachel Gurjar’s Yogurt-Marinated Mushrooms With Flatbread recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/yogurt-marinated-mushrooms-with-flatbread

Andy Baraghani’s Za’atar Chicken Cutlets With Cabbage Salad recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/zaatar-chicken-cutlets-with-cabbage-salad

Asha Loupy’s Cheesy Tomato Hand Pies recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/cheesy-tomato-hand-pies

Red Jacket Orchards (Sarah’s Choice Apple Cider) website: https://redjacketorchards.com/

Kendra Vaculin’s Recipes for Cooking with Kids

Candy Cane Ice Cream in a Bag : https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/candy-cane-ice-cream-in-a-bag

Sohla El-Waylly’s Salty-Sweet Party Mix: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/sweet-and-savory-miso-party-mix

BA Party Mix: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/ba-party-mix

Splatter Paint Sugar Cookies: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/spatter-paint-sugar-cookies

Looking for merch for the food people in your life? Check out shop.bonappetit.com for aprons, candles, martini olive socks, and more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Drew Barrymore didn’t always love to cook. When she first lived alone, at 14 years old, she stuck to instant ramen, boxed mac and cheese, and egg-in-the-hole toasts. But as an adult, sharing food with her friends and loved ones has become one of her favorite things, and her close friend and personal chef Pilar Valdes is a big reason why. The pair met in the midst of major life transitions, and they found solace and inspiration together in the kitchen. This week, they’re on the pod with host Amanda Shapiro talking about friendship, food preferences, and their new cookbook, Rebel Homemaker: Food, Family and Life. 

Stuff we talk about in this episode: 

Rebel Homemaker: Food, Family, Life by Drew Barrymore and Pilar Valdes: https://amzn.to/3Ey6dv2

Pilar’s Catering Company, Kickshaw Cookery: http://kickshawcookery.com/

Drew Barrymore’s Kitchenware Collection, Beautiful: https://cookwithbeautiful.com/

Frankie & Olive’s Roast Chicken Recipe: https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/recipes/frankie-and-olives-roast-chicken/

Drew and Pilar Make Turkey Roulade (Video): https://www.thedrewbarrymoreshow.com/videos/drew-and-pilar-valdes-make-turkey-roulade-and-corn-casserole

*(When you buy something through our links, we earn an affiliate commission.)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There’s a reason fans call Dorie Greenspan the “Cookie Queen.” Over her 30-year career, the James Beard Award-winning author has published 14 cookbooks, developed thousands of recipes, and built an online following years before “influencers” were even a thing. In our sweetest episode yet, she sits down with Amanda to talk about a few of her favorite cookies in her newest book, Baking With Dorie—just in time for your cookie swap. Later on, senior commerce editor MacKenzie Chung Fegan stops by with a few gift ideas for the choosiest food people on your list.

Stuff we talk about in this episode: 

Baking with Dorie : https://amzn.to/3EaNyFA

Baking From My Home To Yours: https://doriegreenspan.com/recipe/world-peace-cookies-the-newest-version-from-dories-cookies-sneak-peek/

Bon Appétit’s Annual Cookie Section : https://www.bonappetit.com/type/cookie

Dorie’s World Peace Cookie recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/world-peace-cookies

Dorie Greenspan’s World Peace Cookie 2.0 recipe: https://doriegreenspan.com/recipe/world-peace-cookies-the-newest-version-from-dories-cookies-sneak-peek/

Dorie’s Caramel Crunch-Chocolate Chunklet Cookies recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/caramel-crunch-chocolate-chunklet-cookies

Dorie Greenspan’s Cocoa-Cornmeal Biscotti recipe: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019374-cocoa-cornmeal-biscotti

Dorie Greenspan’s Iced Spiced Hermits recipe : https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/iced-spiced-hermits

Dorie’s Bulletin, xoxoDorie: https://doriegreenspan.bulletin.com/

Bon Appétit’s Gift Guides 2021: https://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/gift-guides

Alex Beggs’ Cookbook Gift Guide: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/best-cookbooks-2021-gift-guide

MacKenzie’s Gift Recommendations: 

Hestan NanoBond Titanium Essential Pan: https://amzn.to/3EcB686

Mortadella Pool Float : https://www.katiekimmel.com/items/mortadella-pool-float

Supra Endura Beeswax Food Wraps: https://www.supraendura.com/products/copy-of-beeswax-food-wrap-in-selva-print-3-pack

Pura Salsa Macha : https://masienda.com/shop/pura-macha/?sscid=b1k5_gonu6&sscid=b1k5_11agp8

GE Profile Opal Nugget Ice Maker: https://amzn.to/2ZIkne6

To Asia, With Love by Hetty McKinnon: https://amzn.to/3xCjMqR

*(When you buy something through our links, we earn an affiliate commission.)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who but Stanley Tucci could charm us on social media with his Negroni-making skills, eat his way through Italy for a documentary series, and publish a food-heavy memoir all during a global pandemic? He’s had so much going on that we almost forgot that he’s also a Hollywood star. The man/myth/legend gave us his best tips for entertaining in our November issue, and this week on the podcast, he sits down with editor in chief Dawn Davis to chat about his favorite Thanksgiving dishes, the gifts he insists on giving, and the pasta faux-pas that you NEED to avoid. Of course, when it comes to putting on a proper feast, we can’t all be Stanley Tucci—but that doesn’t mean we can’t try. And for the hosts who need the most help, associate food editor Rachel Gurjar is back with a procrastinator’s guide to cooking a Thanksgiving meal.

Stuff we talk about in this episode: 

Menu from Rachel Gurjar’s Thanksgiving “Procrastinator” Newsletter

Sahara Bohoskey’s Marinated Peppers with Basil and Garlic recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/peperoni

Justin Lee’s Crunchy Greens With Fat Choy Ranch recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/crunchy-greens-with-fat-choy-ranch

Gerardo Gonzalez’s Beer-and-Orange-Marinated Roast Chicken recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/beer-and-orange-marinated-roast-chicken

Cheryl Day’s Pineapple Upside-Down Cake recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/pineapple-upside-down-cake-2

Claire Saffitz’s Fridge-Dive Pesto Pasta recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/fridge-dive-pesto-pasta

Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci: https://www.amazon.com/Taste-My-Life-Through-Food/dp/1982168013?asc_campaign=&asc_source=&asc_refurl=https://www.bonappetit.com/story/stanley-tucci-thanksgiving&ascsubtag=61770ed22aa62461f131c295&linkCode=sl1&tag=bapodcasts-20&linkId=46bc32f8e570b522cba622f8b07d6251&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Bon Appétit on what Stanley Tucci is doing for Thanksgiving: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/stanley-tucci-thanksgiving

Science In the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well by Pellgrino Artusi: https://www.amazon.com/Science-Kitchen-Lorenzo-Italian-Library/dp/0802086578?hvadid=312031138203&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18077107301282618684&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1023191&hvtargid=pla-454049301060&psc=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=bapodcasts-20&linkId=47070fea873e0bf560251f361519cc31&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

*(When you buy something through our links, we earn an affiliate commission.)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Maybe you’re like us: Year after year, we tell ourselves that THIS Thanksgiving is going to be the simple one. Then, year after year, we find ourselves back in the kitchen, feeling way too stressed out while juggling 15 recipes for sides, salads, desserts, and of course, a massive turkey that refuses to finish cooking. Why do we do this to ourselves? And is there another way? Associate food editor Kendra Vaculin thinks there is, and she’s here this week, along with test kitchen director Chris Morocco, to talk through her super-simplified menu for this year’s feast, which you can find in the November issue of the magazine. Tune in for tips on maximizing oven space and hot takes on why no one needs a roasting pan. Plus, Chris makes the case for yet another “compelling and dynamic” salad.

Stuff we talk about in this episode: 

Bon Appétit’s Thanksgiving, Simplified Menu: https://www.bonappetit.com/gallery/thanksgiving-dinner-simplified

More on Cheryl Day’s Desserts : https://www.bonappetit.com/story/cheryl-day-southern-baking

Diana Yen’s Pumpkin-Tahini Mousse Pie recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/pumpkin-tahini-mousse-pie

Kendra Vaculin’s Kale Salad With Pecan Vinaigrette recipe : https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/kale-salad-with-pecan-vinaigrette

Kendra Vaculin’s Green Beans and Mushrooms With Crispy Shallots recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/green-beans-and-mushrooms-with-crispy-shallots

Kendra Vaculin’s Stuffing Biscuits recipe : https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/stuffing-biscuits

Kendra Vaculin’s Twice-Roasted Squash With Vanilla, Maple, and Chile recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/twice-roasted-squash-with-vanilla-maple-and-chile

Kendra Vaculin’s Sheet-Pan Turkey and Gravy recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/sheet-pan-turkey-and-gravy

Nordic Ware Half Sheet Pan: https://market.bonappetit.com/products/half-sheet-1

Nordic Ware Baking and Cooling Grid : https://market.bonappetit.com/products/large-baking-cooling-grid-1

Chris Morocco’s Burnished Potato Nuggets recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/burnished-potato-nuggets

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It used to be that opening your own restaurant was the only path to gaining recognition as a chef. But these days, more and more chefs are opening pop-ups as a first step, or even an alternative, to a brick-and-mortar spot. Pop-ups can offer flexibility, freedom, and exposure without the high overhead and financial risk. But that doesn’t mean pop-up life is a walk in the park. This week on the show, Amanda talks to two LA chefs who run their own pop-ups—Rashida Holmes of Bridgetown Roti and Brandon Gray of Brandoni Pepperoni—about the pros and cons of the business model, their mixed feelings about press attention, and what chefs need to know before popping up. 

Stuff we talk about in this episode: 

The Promises and Perils of Pop-Ups: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/promises-and-perils-of-popups

Bridgetown Roti website: https://www.bridgetownroti.com/

Brandoni Pepperoni website: https://www.brandoni-pepperoni.com/

About Chef Craig Wong: https://chefcraigwong.com/about

Santa Monica Farmers Market: https://www.smgov.net/Departments/pcd/farmercontent.aspx?id=10039

Crafted Kitchen LA website: https://www.craftedkitchenla.com/the-kitchens

Rashida Holmes and Bridgetown Roti – @bridgetownroti

Brandon Gray and Brandoni Pepperoni – @la_brandoni_pepperoni

For a transcript of this episode, please follow this link.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Name a more iconic cocktail. We’ll wait. Yep, that’s what we thought. Today on the podcast, Amanda is joined by contributor Amiel Stanek, senior staff writer Alex Beggs, and senior food editor Christina Chaey to talk all about martinis: Why we love them, what makes them perfect vs. “perfect,” and how to order them properly (or make them at home). Along the way, Andrea Hernández aka the Snack Oracle comes by to try to explain why the espresso martini is making a comeback—and whether it’s here to stay. Stick around for trivia, jokes, and plenty of cocktail-shaker ASMR.

Stuff we talk about in this episode: 

SECO Cocktails: https://www.secococktails.com/

Bon Appétit’s Make-Ahead Martini: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/make-ahead-martini

Bon Appetit’s Classic Martini recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/classic-martini-2

Bon Appétit’s How To Speak Fluent Martini: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/how-to-make-a-martini

Andrea Hernandez’s Snaxshot: https://www.snaxshot.com/

Timothée Chalamet and Larry David: https://www.gq.com/story/timothee-chalamet-larry-david-new-york

Alex Beggs’ Latest Articles : https://www.bonappetit.com/contributor/alex-beggs

Amiel Stanek’s Latest Articles: https://www.bonappetit.com/contributor/amiel-stanek

Christina Chaey’s Latest Articles: https://www.bonappetit.com/contributor/christina-chaey

For a transcript of this episode, please follow this link.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Even if you’re not on FoodTok, you probably know it exists . Every day, our algorithms fill our feeds with cooking hacks, recipe walkthroughs, and ambient ASMR moments. We can’t look away, but we also can’t help but wonder: Does any of it actually work? To find out, senior food editor Christina Chaey and BA’s head of video June Kim spent a day cooking meals from TikTok—yes, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This week on the podcast, they’re reporting on how it went and giving their definitive (read: totally subjective) rankings of some of the platform’s most iconic foods. Along the way, associate editor (and FoodTok creator) Bettina Makalintal joins Amanda to talk about a few of her favorite follows on the app.

Stuff we talk about in this episode: 

Emily Mariko’s (@emilymariko) TikTok video for Leftover Salmon Bowls: https://www.tiktok.com/@emilymariko/video/7000469368232512773?is_copy_url=0&is_from_webapp=v1&sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=7005173277049390597

Amy Wilochowski’s (@amywilochowski) TikTok video for Pesto Eggs : https://www.tiktok.com/@amywilichowski/video/6955536851595758853?referer_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.today.com%2F&referer_video_id=6955536851595758853&refer=embed

Alexandra Johnsson’s (@simplefood4u) Wrap Hack Demonstration TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/foryou?lang=en&is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1&item_id=6913548768847727877#/@simplefood4you/video/6913548768847727877

@liemessa’s original Baked Feta Pasta (uunifeta pasta) recipe and blog post: https://liemessa.fi/2020/09/baked-feta-pasta-original-recipe/

J. Kenji Lopez-Alt’s video on Baked Feta Pasta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3gvRjIQ6Lo

Deb Perelman’s Baked Feta with Tomatoes and Chickpeas recipe : https://smittenkitchen.com/2021/02/baked-feta-with-tomatoes-and-chickpeas/

Bettina Makalintal’s (@bettinamak) TikTok page: https://www.tiktok.com/@bettinamak?

@eatwkriss’s TikTok page: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatwkriss?

@oldtimehawkey’s TikTok page: https://www.tiktok.com/@oldtimehawkey?lang=en

@sxmplyni’s TikTok page: https://www.tiktok.com/@sxmplyni?lang=en

For a transcript of this episode, please follow this link.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, editor in chief Dawn Davis is back for a conversation with chef, writer, and James Beard award winner Bryant Terry about his new cookbook Black Food, a sprawling collection of essays, art, and recipes from more than a hundred Black visionaries across the globe. Our September issue features excerpts and recipes from the book, and with Black Food hitting shelves October 19, we’re welcoming him back to talk about cooking with his family, building communities through food, and whether there’s a wrong way to cook grits.

Stuff we talk about in this episode:

BA’s excerpt from Bryant Terry’s Black Food : https://www.bonappetit.com/gallery/bryant-terry-black-food

Black Food by Bryant Terry : https://amzn.to/3AQO2y7

More Books by Bryant Terry : https://www.bryant-terry.com/allbooks

Bryant Terry’s Dirty South Hot Tamales With Jackfruit and Cilantro Sauce recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/hot-tamales-with-jackfruit-and-cilantro-sauce

Nicole A. Taylor’s Cocoa-Orange Catfish recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/cocoa-orange-catfish

Kia Damon’s Sweet Potato Grits recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/sweet-potato-grits

Jocelyn Delk Adams’ Cinnamon-Roll Pound Cake recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/cinnamon-roll-pound-cake

More information on Bryant Terry’s imprint, 4 Color Books: https://sites.prh.com/4-color-books

More recipes from Bryant Terry

Grape-Tarragon Spritzer recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/grape-tarragon-spritzer

Bitter Greens With Sweet Mustard Vinaigrette recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/bitter-greens-mustard-vinaigrette

Quick-Pickled Cauliflower recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/quick-pickled-cauliflower

*(When you buy something through our links, we earn an affiliate commission.)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Food People, we know our way around a dinner party—or at least, we did, before we couldn’t attend or throw any for almost two years. During that hosting hiatus we had plenty of time to think about what made dinner parties great but also what made them stressful, exhausting, and way too much work. This week on the show, Amanda talks to Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco and Associate Food Editor Zaynab Issa about the new rules they’re following when it comes to entertaining in a post-lockdown world. They debate outsourcing the main course, skipping dessert, and what makes a “compelling and dynamic” salad. Along the way, we also turn to Katherine Lewin—owner of Big Night, a brilliantly stocked, expertly curated dinner party shop in Brooklyn—for a crash course on cheese and charcuterie.

Stuff we talk about in this episode:

Shoui Kim’s Red Wine and Soy–Braised Short Ribs recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/red-wine-and-soybraised-short-ribs

Chris Morocco’s BA’s Best Lasagna recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/ba-best-lasagna

Andy Baraghani’s BA’s Best Bolognese recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/bas-best-bolognese

Chris Morocco’s Weeknight Ragù recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/weeknight-ragu

Camille Becerra (De Maria, NY)’s Bitter Greens and Avocado Salad with Seaweed recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/bitter-greens-and-avocado-salad-with-seaweed

Camille Becarra’s tips for a compelling and dynamic salad: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/chicory-2017-vegetable-of-year

Chris Morocco’s Radicchio Salad with Pickled Grapes and Goat Cheese recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/radicchio-salad-with-pickled-grapes-and-goat-cheese

Molly Baz’s Anything-Goes Green Goddess Salad recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/green-goddess-salad

Rick Martinez’s Obscenely Chocolatey Chocolate Cookies recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/double-dark-chocolate-cookies

Mina Stone’s Super Lemony Olive Oil Cake recipe: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/super-lemony-olive-oil-cake

How to Turn a Cheese Plate Into a Main Event: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/cheese-plate-party

Big Night Website : https://www.bignightbk.com/

Trade Street Jam Company Website: https://tradestjamco.com/

Queens San Francisco Superette Website: https://www.queenssf.com/

Read Our New Package on How Dinner Parties Have Changed: https://www.bonappetit.com/gallery/dinner-parties

New Rules for Dinner Partying, (Emphasis on “Partying”): https://www.bonappetit.com/story/dinner-party-rules

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices