Chicken · WALKTHROUGH
Lemon skillet chicken: an even sear and a balanced pan sauce
Learn how thickness, heat, browned bits and a butter finish work together in this 30-minute lemon chicken recipe.
THE COOKING NOTEBOOK
A little know-how.
A lot more confidence.
Take a closer look at how a recipe works. These walkthroughs explain the decisions behind the method, what to watch for, and how to solve common cooking problems.
12 in-depth guides, each linked to a complete free recipe
Chicken · WALKTHROUGH
Sheet-pan chicken and potatoes: timing the thighs and wedges
A guide to the potato head start, tray spacing and temperature checks in garlic chicken with potato wedges.
Beef · WALKTHROUGH
Beef and bean chili: building flavor and controlling thickness
Understand the spice blend, canned beans, uncovered simmer and finishing toppings in this six-serving chili.
Seafood · WALKTHROUGH
Lemon dill salmon: bake by thickness, finish with fresh herbs
A practical guide to preparing salmon fillets, checking the center and keeping the tomato-and-greens accompaniment fresh.
Vegetarian · WALKTHROUGH
Coconut chickpea curry: layering spices and finishing the sauce
Learn when to add aromatics, how to manage coconut milk and why spinach and lime belong at the end.
Vegetarian · WALKTHROUGH
Mushroom risotto: broth, stirring and the loose finish
A detailed guide to browned mushrooms, gradual broth additions and a vegetarian hard-cheese finish with balsamic glaze.
Pasta · WALKTHROUGH
Burst tomato pasta: turning juices into a clingy sauce
Use tomato juices, olive oil and reserved pasta water to coat spaghetti without turning it soupy.
Breakfast · WALKTHROUGH
Blueberry pancakes: gentle batter, steady heat and a quick topping
Learn how to keep pancake batter light, judge the first flip and make the separate blueberry-yogurt topping.
Breakfast · WALKTHROUGH
Apple overnight oats: soaking, texture and crisp toppings
Keep the creamy oat base and fresh apple-and-nut topping distinct with this two-serving overnight-oats walkthrough.
Desserts · WALKTHROUGH
Cocoa brownies: a fudgy center without raw batter
A walkthrough of the 8-inch pan, restrained mixing, doneness checks and complete cooling behind these cocoa brownies.
Desserts · WALKTHROUGH
Pumpkin loaf: gentle mixing and a fully set center
A guide to plain pumpkin purée, leaveners, the 9-by-5-inch pan and the cooling time in cinnamon-ginger quick bread.
Snacks · WALKTHROUGH
Lemon garlic hummus: using tahini and water for a smooth texture
A practical guide to blending order, garlic strength and gradual thinning in this six-serving chickpea dip.