I've always chalked up my rare party planning to the fact that I get stressed easily trying to please a large group of people all at once. But since I've discovered an increasing number of easy killer apps, I've begun to second-guess myself. Case in point: this smoked mozzarella spread. It's meatless, mind-bogglingly easy, doesn't require cooking, and only calls for four ingredients. And with its Read more

What's better than a plain grilled cheese sandwich? A grilled cheese sandwich with three kinds of cheese and caramelized pears and onions! This amazing recipe is another one from the book I'm currently obsessed with, Grilled Cheese Please! The thing that makes this sandwich so special is the butter: it's mixed with blue cheese before being slathered on the outside of the bread. I've made it Read more

If you think you won't enjoy the cookbook Grilled Cheese Please!, one of our must haves for March, this recipe will change your mind. It's author and cheese expert Laura Werlin's grilled cheese with crispy prosciutto and broccoli rabe. It's one of the best sandwiches I've ever made: it's gooey, crunchy, cheesy, and just plain delicious! Although the ingredients are simple, this sandwich oozes Read more

Hoping to still make it a Meatless Monday over the holidays? For some inspiration, check out what OnSugar blog Cooking in Pajamas is making: zucchini and olive pizza. Yum! Homemade pizza! If you are starting with ready-made dough (and why wouldn't you?), it is quicker, healthier, cheaper and tastier to make your own. It is . . . really! Even if your favorite pizza is a standard variety tomato Read more

I think it's safe to say that everyone knows a quintessential meat and potatoes guy. You know, the guy who only enjoys lettuce when it's paired with bacon and blue cheese dressing. The guy who consumes burgers and fries, but turns up his nose at eggplant and whole grains. In my life, this guy is my dad, and slowly but surely, with recipes like the one seen here, I'm trying to get him to eat more Read more

Sometimes the most satisfying meals are the most simple. Look at the grilled cheese. The ingredients — toasted bread, sliced cheese, a pat of butter — are humble, but the completed sandwich is a classic culinary masterpiece. With impromptu holiday parties and last-minute gift-shopping, treat yourself to an elegant, uncomplicated, and oozing cheese sandwich. Instead of crisping the sandwich Read more

When the weather outside is frightful, but the fire inside is delightful, there's nothing I crave more than a bowl of steaming hot soup. Tomato soup is the ultimate comfort soup and this rendition is super creamy, but not loaded with fattening ingredients. In fact, there's no cream, milk, or half-and-half in this recipe; the rich, smooth texture comes from the addition of silken tofu. Sound Read more

I just found the perfect use for my leftover cranberry sauce and boneless pork chops: this balanced dinner of sautéed pork cutlets. I'll pan-fry some pork chops, then deglaze the pan with a combination of cranberries and port wine, for a sauce that's both sweet and tart. The result? A mouthwatering meal that's full of flavor, not fat. Want to see the recipe? Then read more. Read more

With a little leftover ground lamb and even less time, you can make a layered lamb and polenta dish that rivals anything you could order at a restaurant. The key to speedy success is to take smart shortcuts. Use already-stewed tomatoes, grated mozzarella, and ready-made polenta for easy layering. Employ the oven for a final browning touch, and you'll have a dinner that can't be beat on the Read more

Here on the West Coast, we haven't been hard-hit by the year's devastating tomato blight, so I've been taking advantage of my good fortune by supporting growers of heirloom tomatoes (perhaps a little too much; the other day I bought $21 worth of them!). As a salad fanatic, I had to make my favorite type of tomato salad. The insalata Caprese, which literally translates to "salad from Capri," is Read more