A buttermilk marinade tenderizes the chicken and helps create a crisp, flaky crust while frying.

You might need to buy:
  • BUTTERMILK MARINADE:
  • buttermilk
  • Dijon mustard
  • salt
  • dry mustard
  • cayenne pepper
  • cracked black pepper
  • .
  • FRIED CHICKEN:
  • all-purpose flour
  • baking powder
  • garlic powder
  • salt
  • vegetable shortening

Pudding is great comfort food, yet not everyone realizes how easy it is to make from scratch. Let My-T-Fine mix become a thing of the past. This pudding is ready in less than 15 minutes and, served steaming hot or chilled, it’s exceptionally rich and smooth.

You might need to buy:
  • granulated sugar
  • cornstarch
  • salt
  • whole milk
  • pure vanilla extract

This is really just an elegant pudding, cooked slightly firm, in small espresso cups or pots. I like to serve this with a good cookie for dipping biscotti, for example.

You might need to buy:
  • whole milk
  • half-and-half
  • almond extract
  • chopped semisweet chocolate
  • eggs
  • dark cocoa powder
  • granulated sugar

This rich, creamy pudding calls for both dark chocolate and cocoa powder. For mocha pudding, heat milk and steep with 1/2 cup crushed coffee beans for 10 minutes. Strain and proceed with recipe.

You might need to buy:
  • whole milk
  • dark chocolate
  • heavy cream
  • sugar
  • cocoa
  • salt
  • cornstarch
  • vanilla extract

Japanese bread crumbs, called panko, are bright white, and their large flakes result in a rough, crunchy texture. Look for them in large supermarkets, specialty shops and Asian groceries.

serves 4
You might need to buy:
  • large egg
  • freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • minced sage
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • extra-virgin olive oil

Get smooth and creamy restaurant-style chile con queso at home.

You might need to buy:
  • cooking oil
  • diced white onion

French toast is one of our favorite breakfast dishes, so we’ve experimented with many variations of the classic recipe. We served brunch for a brief time at our restaurant, and this was one of the most popular dishes on the menu. The sweet coconut gives it a Caribbean flavor, while the maple syrup conjures up thoughts of our home in Vermont. —Bob and Melinda Blanchard

serves 4
You might need to buy:
  • milk
  • large eggs
  • shredded unsweetened coconut
  • pure vanilla extract
  • unsalted butter

I grew up thinking strata was my mom’s signature dish, until I realized every mother has her own version. You should know how to make it too, but just between us, yours can be much more elegant than your mother’s, especially when you make it in a small dish to serve two and pair it with a large salad. Of course, you can double this recipe for a large crowd and bake it instead in a 9-by-13-inch pan for 1 hour–then watch it disappear. — Sarah Copeland

serves 2
You might need to buy:
  • asparagus stalks
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Butter for the baking dish
  • whole milk
serves 1
You might need to buy:
  • unsalted butter
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • salt
  • eggs
You might need to buy:
  • WINGS:
  • all-purpose flour
  • chili powder
  • ground cumin
  • salt
  • cayenne pepper
  • buttermilk
  • peanut oil
  • .
  • DIP:
  • prepared Ranch dressing
  • buttermilk