Recipes

I like to serve these Thai peanut noodles with green onion or cilantro for pops of color and fresh flavor. —Catherine Cebula, Littleton, Massachusetts

Potato chip chicken pairs well with all your barbecue or picnic favorites—think baked beans, creamy coleslaw, classic macaroni salad or southern potato salad. A veggie-packed fresh green salad or lime-honey fruit salad would also hit the spot.

This Italian classic is so simple to make, you can now make it any night of the week. —Elisabeth Matelski, Boston, Massachusetts

Make popcorn shrimp tacos the centerpiece of your next taco night. Start the meal with tortilla chips and an array of fresh salsas, from pico de gallo to salsa verde. Once the shrimp are crispy, serve the tacos with filling sides like cilantro-lime rice and Instant Pot black beans. Grill Mexican street corn and toss together a refreshing tropical fruit salad for lighter options. Mix up Cadillac margaritas for the adults to sip.

I had tomatillos to use and wanted to make something more exquisite than salsa verde. I combined two favorite recipes, added my own special touches and made chicken tomatillo soup. Feel free to add cayenne pepper or Tabasco sauce to spice it up. —Katrina Krumm, Apple Valley, Minnesota

These lemon poppy seed cookies could be enjoyed on their own, but the simple glaze on top takes them to the next level. To make a glaze that perfectly sticks, it’s all about balance. The ratio of confectioners’ sugar to lemon juice is key for proper consistency. If you find that your glaze is too thick to dip each cookie, add a small amount of lemon juice. If it seems too runny, add just a touch of additional confectioners’ sugar.

I first discovered tagines—Moroccan stews—when my oldest son was a baby, and I've loved them ever since. I used a slow cooker for my first version and since I'm a mom with two active boys, that has stayed my preferred method. The pumpkin mixture is supposed to be thick, but if you like a thinner consistency, stir in chicken broth. —Necia Blundy, Bothell, Washington

Turmeric is a great replacement for saffron. This spice is a bit more earthy than delicate and floral saffron, but turmeric will help give the rice that gorgeous golden hue for a fraction of the cost.

With this recipe, you can put in a full day’s work, run some errands and still get dinner on the table in hardly any time. Make it extra-special by serving the meat sauce over spaetzle. —Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida

Frosting a cake is fun once you get the hang of it! First, allow the cake and frosting to cool completely. Use an offset spatula to spread a very thin layer of frosting over the cake. This is called the crumb layer; it’s ok if it looks messy and uneven. Let this set for a moment, then follow up with a second, thicker layer. It will spread on more evenly. Swirl the spatula to get a nice wavy finish.