Erika Houle

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This Might Be the Best Reason to Make Eggplant Parm

First, make a delicious take on the classic. Then, consider everything else you can make with its elements. So long as you have some eggplants, tomato sauce, spiced panko, and Parmigiano Reggiano and mozzarella, you’ve got options. Pick up some fresh herbs or other favorite pantry staples, then pick your own adventure.

Very Versatile Eggplant Parmigiana

Vegetarian-friendly, easy to assemble, and made up of ingredients that you’ll want on hand all week, this eggplant parmigiana is extremely versatile and great for leftovers (it’s equally as enjoyable once reheated). The process is fast, easy, and undeniably satisfying—whatever size baking dish you’re using (based on serving sizes, should you wish to double or half the recipe), you’ll want at least three substantial layers of tomato sauce, parmigiano reggiano, seasoned and toasted panko, and roasted eggplant, in that order. Top the dish off with fresh mozzarella that’s been sliced and patted dry to avoid too much moisture.

Eggplant Parmigiana-Ready Tomato Sauce

Maybe this recipe seems obvious, but maybe it’s also a gentle reminder: Good tomato sauce is always incredible to have in the fridge—for a fast pasta dinner or an even faster breakfast with poached eggs and toast—and it tastes so much better when it’s made at home to your liking. Good quality canned tomatoes are important here, so keep a stack in your pantry at all times. In this case, I personally suggest crushed Bianco Di Napoli or San Merican Tomatoes, but this is your tomato sauce, so use what you know and love. As always, taste and adjust as you go—add less salt and pepper to start, and more toward the end, as needed—and keep an eye on it as it simmers in order to reach the desired consistency for whatever dish you plan to use it for. For eggplant parmigiana, a thicker consistency is best, to avoid too much moisture in the dish. Note: This can be prepared ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to seven days or frozen for up to three months. Add a little extra water when reheating to thin it out for other dishes, if necessary.

Eggplant Parmigiana-Ready Seasoned Toasted Panko

I’ve never sprinkled well-seasoned and toasted panko over a dish and not been happy about it. Beyond parmigiana, it’s equally great as a garnish for salads, pastas (think spaghetti, mac and cheese, alfredo, etc), or, left untoasted and used to dredge fried chicken cutlets, eggplant coins, cabbage steaks, and more. Note: This can be made ahead, cooled completely, and stored in an air-tight container on the counter or in the pantry for up to seven days. Skip the butter and toasting step if using for future dredges for fried foods—combine the rest of the ingredients and store until ready to use.

What’s a Salad and What’s a Side?

Not full summer, not yet fall–celebrate this “in between time” with salads that are refreshing but also pack a spicy punch.

Cucumber and Shishito “Salad” with Feta and Mint

Lightly charred and cooled shishitos with cucumbers and a serrano vinaigrette, garnished with big chunks of feta and fresh mint? Yes, please. You can absolutely eat this on its own, or pair it with warm pita, rice, rotisserie chicken, or schmaltzy potatoes. Note that some bites will be spicier than others—it’s part of the fun.

Fresh and Confit Tomato and Fish “Salad”

Having confit tomatoes on hand is always a game changer, and they’re extremely easy to make with good quality oil, a ton of garlic, whatever herbs you prefer, and about an hour of hands-off cooking time. Then, you’ll be all set with tiny flavor bombs that will hold up well for up to one week in the refrigerator, which can be added to eggs, pastas, soft cheeses, and more. In this case, tossed with beautifully flaky fish (hello, branzino) and very finely diced habanero peppers, they make a standout salad—think brightness, heat, sweetness, and loads of umami. Dressing this salad is made extra easy with leftover confit oil (flavored with garlic and herbs), a big squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and salt.

Hot and Cold Eggplant “Salad”

Think about your favorite soup and salad lunch combo, then imagine this dish as a combination of both. With a soup-adjacent spicy peanut sauce—add as much to your bowl as you wish—and eggplant that’s been quickly grilled, marinated, and chilled, there’s no shortage of different flavors, textures, and temperatures. Make the marinated eggplants ahead of time (they’ll last in the refrigerator for up to five days). Warm the peanut sauce before serving for an enjoyable contrast. Don’t skip the addition of roasted peanuts for some good crunch and fresh cilantro to brighten your sauce.

Cooking For One, Cheap and Delicious Edition: Latkes with Mushroom Gravy

When you consider the ingredients required to make latkes, the concept of eating a delicious, delightful, solitary meal without overspending becomes obvious. Easy, even. The amount of energy you’ll exert is minimal when you’re making a single serving. Two or three manageably-sized potatoes, a fraction of an onion, a small amount of flour, and an individual egg is essentially all it takes to put something together that feels like a treat.

Latkes with Asian-Inflected Mushroom Gravy

Crispy, savory-sweet, and texturally ideal, these latkes might not be traditional, but they also won’t disappoint. Taste and adjust your mushroom gravy as it cooks, and don’t be shy about getting the deepest shade of golden brown on your latkes as possible. Don’t skip on the extra crunch of toasted sesame seeds or the fresh bite of chopped green onions.

Latkes with Mushroom Gravy

Budget-friendly and loaded with flavor, these crispy latkes with creamy mushroom gravy will cover your savory cravings. While preparing the latkes, adjust amounts of flour as needed—the mixture should remain slightly loose, but not difficult to shape into patties and transfer to a skillet. Fry until you’ve reached a level of dark golden brown—achieving crispiness is the priority. If you’re making the gravy, remove it from the heat as soon as it reaches your preferred consistency.

Summer Fair? Summer Fare!

Go ahead and make slightly less over-the-top versions of your favorite foods from carnivals, festivals, or fairs at home. They’re great for outdoor gatherings, and they’re also delightful as snacks and treats whenever you please. Plus, the entire point of making them is to have fun.

Fried Bananas with Ice Cream, Honey, and Toasted Almonds

Fried bananas over vanilla ice cream, drizzled with honey and topped with toasted almonds? It’s hard to go wrong, and it’s easy and fast to put together. Crunchy but soft, hot but cold, and sweet but not saccharine, this is the kind of dessert that pleases crowds, for many reasons. Customize it to your liking the same way you would when making a sundae, with flaky salt, hot fudge, or fresh berries. Whatever you do, eat it before it melts!

“Potatoes-On-a-Stick” with Bravas Sauce and Manchego

With no utensils required and no familiar flavors or textures forgotten, fried potatoes served on a stick make a lot of sense during the summer. They’re a fun treat to hold and look at, and all of those spiralized crevices serve a purpose, creating space for whatever toppings or sauces your heart desires—in this case, that’s grated manchego cheese and bravas sauce. If you’re making larger batches, add the potatoes to a large bowl filled with cold water as you prepare them to avoid oxidization before you’re ready to fry (then dry them thoroughly before doing so). Make sure they’re golden brown and crispy-crunchy, and use a heavy hand while loading them up.

“Corn in a Cup” with Pickled Peppers and Crispy Shallots

When corn is in season, it’s worth celebrating. Grilling it, chilling it, and tossing it with green onions, pickled peppers, and a creamy-garlicky dressing feels like an ideal way to do exactly that. Serving it in cups topped with crispy fried shallots and a generous pinch of paprika goes the extra mile. An easy trick for shucking and removing the kernels: Toss each ear in the microwave for about two minutes (the husks should be easy to pull off, and a kitchen towel will be helpful to rub off any extra fibrous bits) and use a sharp knife to cut downwards along the sides of the cobs. Once the corn is cooked, give it time to cool and then chill it in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble.

Cooking For One: Dukkah-Crusted Feta & Fennel

A combination of crunchy-nutty cheese and bright salad make dinner for just you exciting.

Dukkah-Crusted Feta with Fennel Salad and Tahini Vinaigrette

With fennel, citrus, and fresh dill or mint alongside feta that’s simultaneously creamy and crunchy, this is the kind of salad that’s ideal for a midday lunch to keep you going, or a post-work dinner on the patio where you can unwind with flavors that soothe. Each component—dukkah, crusted feta, and vinaigrette—can be made ahead, and you won’t be hard pressed to find other purposes for all of them throughout the rest of the week.

Let’s Go, Pic-Knicks!

Plantain chips with your new favorite dip, an herby rice salad, and, of course, a tasty sandwich — whether you’re headed to the beach, the park, or just a picturesque patch of grass, look toward these recipes for this season’s best picnic spreads.

Picnic-Ready Chicken Sandwiches with Garlic Labneh and Pickled Vegetables

While mayonnaise might be the most popular condiment for classic picnic sandwiches, labneh has a thicker (and less melty) consistency and adds ideal amounts of brightness and creaminess. (That said, if you can’t get your hands on labneh, mayonnaise will be delicious, too, and it will serve a similar purpose). Blackened chicken thighs, once rested, will remain juicy and delicious, and layers of carrots and radish quickly bathed in banana pepper pickling liquid will pack the punch every picnic needs.

Picnic-Ready Rice Salad with Mushrooms, Peas, and Herbs

While rice might not be the first thing that comes to mind when picnics are mentioned, when herbs, mushrooms, and peas are added to the equation, it rounds out an outdoor meal with fresh flavors and zero sogginess. Feel free to swap dill, mint, or chives with any tender herbs, but this combination compliments everything really well. Keep leftovers chilled and serve them for quick and convenient meals back at home.