The Best Meatloaf

For dinner tonight, I'm making a great Meatloaf recipe I found a few years ago on Epicurious. I've made it a bunch of times and it's been a big hit with family and friends. Great leftovers as well - and who doesn't love a meatloaf sandwich?

Best Enchiladas Ever? (Green Chile and Chicken)

Last night I made 'The Best Creamy Chicken Enchiladas' recipe from J. Kenji Lopez-Alt at Serious Eats. Slightly labor intensive (particularly if you initially forget to broil one of the vegetables!), but the results are 100% worth it. Great mix of creamy (the crema), spicy (the poblanos and serranos), and tangy (the tomatillos). Highly recommended!

Everything Parker House Rolls

Very excited - starting to prep for Thanksgiving.

Last year I made the Everything Parker House Rolls from Williams-Sonoma. After many years of trying to find a good recipe for Thanksgiving rolls I came across this one and my search is over.

Tall and Fluffy Buttermilk Biscuits

These buttermilk biscuits are a bit of work but they are the best I've had. Unfortunately the recipe is behind a paywall, so you'll either need to be a subscriber to Cooks Illustrated online or to sign up for a free trial.

Tall and Fluffy Buttermilk Biscuits

Vermouth-Braised Short Ribs

With the arrival of cooler weather, this is a nice hearty preparation of short ribs:

Vermouth-Braised Short Ribs With Spring Herbs and Honeyed Shallots (via New York Times)

Grilled Quesadillas with Sweet Corn, Grilled Shrimp and Jalapeno Pesto (Bobby Flay)

Made this one again last night - for probably the fifth time this year.

Grilled Quesadillas with Sweet Corn, Grilled Shrimp and Jalapeno Pesto  (from Bobby Flay's Boy Gets Grill)

I often skip the jalapeno pesto and just serve the quesadillas with sliced fresh peppers.

Good side dishes: black beans or Arugula Salad with Black Bean, Corn, Avocado and Orange Chile Dressing from Lettuce In Your Kitchen.

Butternut Squash and Creamed-Spinach Gratin

As summer fades away and the cool days of fall are on the way, this is a great recipe to have around. Make sure you get the spinach good and dry before assembling the dish (less water means more concentrated flavors!).

Butternut Squash and Creamed-Spinach Gratin (epicurious)

Quick and Smoky Baked Beans

Another summertime favorite. I usually make this when I am making some kind of barbecue....

Quick and Smoky Baked Beans (Food Network)

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Waffles

Best waffle recipe I've ever found. No need to look further as every other recipe I've tried has paled in comparison.

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Waffles

The recipe is from a wonderful book - Marion Cunningham's 'The Breakfast Book' (buy it at bn.com)

Sambal Chicken Skewers

Have made this at least 5 times this summer. Really easy and really tasty. I don't bother with skewering the chicken.

Sambal Chicken Skewers (epicurious)

Baked Blintz Souffle with Brown Sugar Bananas

This dish has become a family mainstay for weekend breakfast. We usually make a double recipe of the custard and skip the bananas and ricotta cream. The souffle goes well with plain greek yogurt and maple syrup.

Baked Blintz Souffle with Brown Sugar Bananas (via Chat & Chew).

I originally found the recipe in the Bromberg Bros. Blue Ribbon Cookbook (buy it at bn.com)

Best chocolate birthday cake ever

I've made this cake for birthday parties for years and it's always a big hit. Rather than making the ganache I use a white buttercream icing for a nice contrast to the slightly bittersweet cake.

Double Chocolate Layer Cake (epicurious)

Baked French Toast

Excellent for serving a crowd at breakfast.

Baked French Toast (epicurious)

Bobby Flay's Coconut-Cashew Basmati Rice Salad

A big hit during the summer grilling season. Serves as a nice cooling offset to spicy grilled food.

Coconut-Cashew Basmati Rice Salad (Food Network)