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These hearty muffins are mixed with cornmeal for extra heft and texture, and loaded with thick-cut chunks of ham, sharp cheddar, and a pinch of chives.

Ham and Cheddar Lunch Box Muffins

all-purpose flour

yellow cornmeal

baking powder

garlic powder

baking soda

salt

buttermilk

eggs

unsalted butter, melted and cooled, divided

cheddar cheese

chives, divided

black pepper

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 375°F. Line a standard 12-well muffin pan with papers liners or coat the wells with cooking spray.

Whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, garlic powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk the buttermilk, eggs, and 5 tablespoons of the butter in a medium bowl until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and mix with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until just combined. Some lumps are fine. Fold in the cheese, all but 1/2 cup of the ham, and 2 tablespoons of the chives.

Spoon the batter into the muffin wells, filling each about 3/4 full. Top the muffins with the reserved ham, sprinkle with the remaining chives, and sprinkle with pepper. Top each muffin with 1/2 teaspoon of the remaining melted butter.

Bake until the tops just begin to brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool the muffins in the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

This 5-ingredient, shortcut slow cooker recipe is going to completely change how you think about pot roast. 

How to Make the Best Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast

(3 beef chuck roast

(1-ounce) packet ranch salad dressing & seasoning mix

(1-ounce) packet au jus gravy mix (or 2 (.6-ounce) packets)

unsalted butter

pepperoncini peppers

Options cheese

Add the chuck roast to a slow cooker. Place a 3- to 4-pound boneless beef chuck roast in a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. 

Add the seasoning packets. Sprinkle the chuck roast with 1 packet ranch salad dressing and seasoning mix and 1 (1-ounce) packet au jus gravy mix. 

Add the butter, pepperoncini, and brine. Cut 1 stick butter into cubes and place on top of the roast. Pour 1/2 cup brine from a jar of pepperoncini peppers and pour this over the roast. Add 10 to 12 pepperoncini peppers. 

Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours. Cover and cook until the beef is very tender, about 8 hours on the LOW setting, or 5 to 6 hours on the HIGH setting.

Use tongs to shred the roast and serve. Shred the roast into bite-sized pieces with tongs. Serve the pot roast over mashed potatoes or pile onto rolls and top with provolone cheese. 

This cheesy nostalgic spud dish is on your table in less than an hour.

Loaded Potato Skins

russet potatoes (1 3/4 to 2 pounds total)

olive oil

sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 3/4 cup)

scallions

bacon (3 to 4 slices)

black pepper, plus more as needed

sour cream

Heat the oven. Arrange 2 racks to divide the oven into thirds. Place a baking sheet on the lower rack to catch any drippings and heat the oven to 425ºF. 

Prep the potatoes. Scrub and dry 4 small russet potatoes. Rub 2 teaspoons olive oil on the potatoes and sprinkle all over with 1 teaspoon kosher salt. 

Bake the potatoes. Place the potatoes directly on the upper rack. Bake until tender, about 50 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the toppings.

Prepare the toppings. Grate 3 ounces sharp cheddar cheese on the large holes of a box grater (about 3/4 packed cup). Thinly slice the greens from 2 medium scallions. Cut 4 ounces bacon into 1/2-inch pieces. 

Cook the bacon and reserve the fat. Place the bacon in a medium skillet and cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Keep the bacon fat in the skillet.

Scoop out the potatoes. When the potatoes are ready, remove the baking sheet from the oven and set aside to cool. Transfer the potatoes to a wire rack and let sit until cool enough to handle but still warm, about 15 minutes. Cut each potato in half lengthwise. Scoop out the insides, leaving about 1/4-inch of potato as the shell, and transfer the insides to a bowl. Reserve the scooped-out flesh for another use.

Heat the oven to broil. Wash and dry the baking sheet, then line it with parchment paper if desired. Place the potato shells on the baking sheet and brush the reserved bacon fat all over the flesh and skin sides. Arrange in a single layer skin-side down. Season with 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Divide the cheese between the skins.

Bake and assemble the potato skins. Bake on the upper rack until the cheese is melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the oven. Divide 1/3 cup sour cream, the bacon, and scallions between the potato skins and serve immediately.

Crispy, crunchy broccoli replaces corned beef in this vegetarian twist on a classic reuben sandwich. 

Broccoli Reuben Sandwich

broccoli (about

garlic,

mayonnaise

Sriracha hot sauce

rye or pumpernickel bread

sauerkraut

Swiss cheese (2 ounces)

unsalted butter,

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 450°F. Place the broccoli on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with the oil, season with the salt, garlic, and several grinds pepper, and toss to combine. Spread into an even layer. Roast until tender and charred in spots, 15 to 18 minutes.

Stir the mayonnaise and Sriracha together in a small bowl. Divide evenly among the slices of bread and spread to the edges. Divide the saurkraut between 2 of the slices, followed by the roasted broccoli. Top each with 2 slices of cheese. Finish with remaining bread slices spread-side down to close the sandwiches. Spread half of the butter onto the top of each sandwich. 

Heat a large skillet over medium heat until hot, about 4 minutes. Place the sandwiches butter side down in the pan. Cover with a second large, heavy skillet, preferably cast iron. Press down on the skillet so that it smushes the sandwiches (alternatively, press down firmly with a flat spatula). Cook until the bottoms are browned and crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. 

Uncover and spread the tops with remaining butter. Flip the sandwiches, then place the skillet on top again and press down. Continue cooking until the cheese is melted and the bottoms of the sandwiches are golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes more. Transfer to a cutting board, cut each sandwich in half, and serve immediately. 

Learn the basics of Alfredo sauce and how to use it for making chicken fettuccini Alfredo any night of the week.

How To Make Chicken Alfredo Pasta

fettuccine

boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound total)

kosher salt, divided

black pepper, divided

canola oil

(1 stick) European-style unsalted butter, divided

heavy cream

Parmesan cheese (2 1/2 ounces),

nutmeg

Coarsely chopped fresh parsley leaves,

Cook the pasta, drain, and reserve cooking water. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.

Dry the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, pat both sides of the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season with 3/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper.

Heat the oil over medium-high in a large frying pan. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering, 2 to 3 minutes. If you have a pan that has straight sides, here&#x27;s the time to use it. Do not use a nonstick pan.

Add the chicken to the hot pan, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Swirl the pan just before adding the chicken to distribute the oil. Add the chicken and leave it alone for 5 to 7 minutes, until the bottom is golden-brown. If you try to to turn the chicken and it feels stuck, it isn&#x27;t ready to flip.

Flip the chicken and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165°F. Flip the chicken over and add 1 tablespoon of the butter right between them. Pick up the pan and give it a gentle swirl to distribute the melting butter. Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, 5 to 7 minutes more.

Slice the chicken and cover to keep warm. Transfer the chicken to a plate or clean cutting board and let rest for 3 minutes. Cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Cover with aluminum foil while you prepare the rest of the dish.

Melt the rest of the butter and sauté the garlic. Add the remaining 7 tablespoons of butter to the same pan used for the chicken and place over medium heat until melted. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Make the Alfredo sauce. Whisk in the cream, Parmesan, nutmeg, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta cooking water, a few tablespoons at a time, to thin it out.

Add the drained pasta and toss to coat in the sauce. Add the drained fettuccine to the sauce and toss to coat. Divide the pasta among serving bowls and top with a few slices of chicken. Garnish with parsley, more Parmesan, and black pepper if desired.

Roasted Broccoli & Cheddar Soup

oil, divided

leek,

potato

(16-ounce) bag frozen broccoli, broccoli

low-sodium vegetable broth, low-sodium chicken broth, or water

cheddar cheese (4 ounces)

Salt

Crème fraîche, plain yogurt, or lemon wedge,

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 450°F. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add the leek and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, peel and chop the potato into 1-inch chunks.

Add the broth or water and potato to the pot and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, spread the broccoli out onto 2 baking pans. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil over the broccoli, sprinkle with a big pinch of salt and pepper, and roast for 5 minutes. Stir the broccoli and return to the oven for 5 minutes more.

Once the soup is boiling, add the broccoli and return to a boil. Reduce the heat as needed and simmer until the vegetables are tender when pierced with a fork, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat. Purée soup with an immersion blender or in batches with a regular blender. Add the cheese and stir until melted. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

Serve topped with a small dollop of crème fraîche or yogurt, or a squeeze of lemon, and finish with a grind of fresh pepper.

These make-ahead egg muffins are packed with cottage cheese and veggies for a portable, high-protein breakfast.

Egg Muffins

Cooking spray or olive oil

shallot,

broccoli

full-fat cottage cheese

cheddar cheese (2 ounces)

milk

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 400°F. Generously coat a 12-well standard muffin tin with cooking spray or olive oil. 

Evenly divide the shallot, broccoli, cottage cheese, and cheddar between the muffin wells.

Place the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and whisk until the eggs are completely incorporated. Pour into the muffin wells, filling each 1/2 to 3/4 full.

Bake until the muffins are set and lightly browned around the edges, 12 to 14 minutes. Place the pan on a wire rack and let cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Run a butter knife around each cup to the loosen the muffins before removing them from the pan. Serve warm or cool completely on a wire rack before refrigerating or freezing.

Pork and Broccoli Rice Bowls

peanut butter

water

rice vinegar

tamari or soy sauce

sesame oil, divided

pork

Kosher salt

broccoli florets (about 1 small head of broccoli) or Broccolini

rice,

Whisk together the peanut butter, water, tamari or soy sauce, vinegar, and 1/2 tablespoon of the sesame oil in a small bowl; set aside.

Heat the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the pork in a single layer, season with salt and pepper, and cook undisturbed until browned on the bottom, about 2 minutes minutes. Flip and continue cooking until all sides are browned and the pork is almost cooked through, about 2 minutes more.

Add the broccoli and cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, about 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the peanut sauce, stir to coat, and cook until the sauce thickens and is heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately over rice.

Sautéed Chicory recipe | Epicurious.com

chicory

garlic cloves, finely chopped

red-pepper flakes

Stir-fried lo mein noodles with plum, juicy shrimp and perfectly cooked broccoli.

Shrimp Lo Mein

soy sauce

Shaoxing wine

sugar

sesame oil

onion

broccoli crown (about 12 ounces)

garlic

scallion (optional)

dried lo mein or udon noodles

kosher salt,

vegetable oil, divided

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, make the sauce and prep the vegetables.

Stir 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or dry sherry, 1 teaspoon packed brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil together in a small bowl until the sugar is dissolved to make the sauce; set aside.

Thinly slice 1/2 medium yellow onion, cut 1 large broccoli crown into small 1-inch florets (about 5 cups), and mince 2 garlic cloves. Thinly slice 1 scallion for garnish if desired.

Add 8 ounces lo mein or udon noodles to the boiling water and cook according to package directions. Meanwhile, pat 1 pound cleaned shrimp dry with paper towels and season with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high until shimmering. Add the shrimp in a single layer, and sear until browned on the bottom, about 2 minutes (they will not be cooked through). Transfer to a large plate and take the pan off the heat if the noodles aren’t ready yet.

When the noodles are ready, drain in a colander and run under cold water until cooled. Set aside to drain while you cook the vegetables.

Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onion, season with salt, and stir-fry until starting to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the broccoli and garlic, season with salt, and toss to combine. Add 2 tablespoons water, cover, and cook, stirring every minute or so, until the broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes.

Uncover and add the noodles and reserved shrimp and any accumulated juices. Cook, tossing constantly, until the shrimp are just cooked through and the noodles are warmed through, about 2 minutes. Pour in the sauce and toss until it evenly coats the noodles and vegetables, about 1 minute. Garnish with the scallions if desired and serve.

Broccoli & Feta Pasta Sauce

broccoli,

Salt and black pepper

onion,

Italian parsley

lemon,

feta cheese, divided

Cut the broccoli into small florets and steam on the stove or in the microwave with the 2 tablespoons of water. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large sauté pan. Cook the onion and garlic until it just begins to soften, and then add the broccoli. Cook for several minutes or until the onion turns translucent. Add the parsley and cook until it&#x27;s well-wilted. Pour in the lemon juice and simmer for about two minutes.

Transfer to a blender and add 1/4 cup of the feta cheese and the 1/4 cup water. Purée until smooth, adding a drizzle of olive oil and a little more water if it sticks and turns to a lump. Purée until as smooth or chunky as you prefer.

Taste and add any necessary additional salt and pepper. Serve with a good ridged pasta like the rotini above.

One-Skillet Chicken with Garlicky Broccoli and Croutons

vegetable oil

bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts

garlic clove, thinly sliced

bread

Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed, ovenproof 12-inch skillet or wide 3-quart sauté pan over medium-high heat.

Generously sprinkle the chicken breasts on all sides with salt and pepper, then carefully add them to the skillet skin-side down.

Cook the chicken undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes, until the skin is golden and crispy. Transfer the chicken to a plate.

Add the garlic to the pan and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Stir in the broccoli.

Return the chicken to the pan, nestling it among the broccoli florets.

Place the pan in the oven and roast for 15 minutes.

Tear the bread into bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch cubes) and nestle the bread among the chicken and broccoli.

Roast for 10 to 15 minutes more, until the bread is toasty at the tips and a thermometer registers 165°F when inserted into the thickest part of the largest chicken breast.

Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Rainbow Pizza

pizza dough

ricotta cheese

mozzarella cheese

basil

red pepper flakes (optional)

Olive oil

red onion, chopped

cherry tomatoes, halved

orange bell pepper, seeded and chopped

yellow corn kernels

broccoli florets,

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 450°F. Let the pizza dough sit out a room temperature while the oven heats.

Mix together the ricotta, mozzarella, dried basil, salt, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl; set aside.

Lightly grease a rolling pin with olive oil. Roll out the pizza dough to fit a standard 13x18-inch rimmed baking sheet. Transfer the dough to the baking sheet, then use your fingers to gently press the dough into the corners of the pan.

Spread the cheese mixture over the dough, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges. Arrange the vegetables in a rainbow pattern on top of the cheese. Drizzle with olive oil, or coat the veggies with a thin layer of cooking spray.

Bake until the edges are golden-brown, 16 to 20 minutes. Let the pizza cool for 1 to 2 minutes before cutting into slices and serving.

Salmon Burgers with Lime Mayonnaise

salmon

red pepper, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)

fresh mint, chopped

cilantro, chopped

chopped scallions

lime juice

panko

canola mayonnaise

lime zest

muffins,

Place the salmon in the freezer for 20 minutes — not so long that it freezes, but just enough that it&#x27;s firm. Finely chop the salmon by hand (You don’t want salmon purée or paté, which results in a dense burger; 1/8- to 1/4-inch pieces are ideal.)

Lightly beat the egg in a large bowl. Stir in the salmon, red pepper, mint, cilantro, scallions, lime juice, salt, and panko. Mix thoroughly.

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