My coworker Debbie treated the office to these spectacular mini apple pies. Everyone fell in love with the warm filling and flaky, buttery crust. —Ginny Alfano, Canastota, New York
Though still debated, Tucson is generally credited as the original home of the chimichanga (fried "burro", as we call them, stuffed with meat, onions and chilies). I've combined several recipes into this one, and it's fairly authentic.
Currant-Glazed Lamb Chops with Pistachio Couscous is definitely a company-worthy entree, but it's also easy on the cook. The slow-cooked flavor of these lamb chops will have guests thinking you've been in the kitchen all day--not 20 minutes.
From Wills Point, Texas, Dorothy Pritchett shares the recipe for this Easter morning treat. "It came from my niece in Ballwin, Missouri, who's one of the best cooks in the world," Dorothy credits.
Shrimp and Grits, a low-country favorite, makes a hearty, one-dish dinner and is table-ready in 30 minutes. Sustainable Choice: Buy Pacific white shrimp farmed in recirculating systems or inland ponds.
Quinoa works just as well as the traditional bulgur, and it takes less time to cook. We prefer curly parsley here, but flat-leaf parsley or a mix of other herbs would also be delicious.
Every year for his birthday, Tim Hollingsworth's mother makes him cheesecake with canned cherries on top. In his clever version, he substitutes goat cheese for the cream cheese and glazed cranberries for the cherries.
Look for caper berries near the olives in the supermarket; they should be next to the capers, but they're much bigger and have a stem. In a pinch, substitute about a tablespoon of chopped capers. Japanese eggplants have thinner skins than typical globe eggplants, so you can leave the peel on. The light purple color is pretty, too.
