Its “Joy of Cooking” approved. Among the first projects we undertook was testing every single recipe in the books 75th-anniversary edition. My initial skepticism gave way once I sampled a slice of the still-warm bread. Simply Recipes / Getty Images Ive used up to one-half cup. Simply stir the apricots into the batter right before scraping it into the loaf pan. Ive even soaked my apricots in brewed black tea for a little extra flavor....

It’s always a big hit. Simply Recipes / Sarah Crowder Growing up a competitive swimmer, I hosted and attended countless pasta parties. Pasta parties are typically potluck-style, and attendees usually bring to shareyou guessed ita pasta dish. Simply Recipes / Sarah Crowder Because pasta parties often take place in the summer, my favorite contribution was always pasta salad. If I feel fancy, Ill also chop up some salami or pepperoni....

It’s the only way I’ll make zucchini bread. Simply Recipes / Getty Images Zucchini bread is one of those gifts that keeps giving in all directions. asking to help bake. Simply Recipes / Getty Images However, there’s one unusual ingredient I always put in my zucchini bread. It adds moisture and sweetness. It’s as easy as that. Simply Recipes / Getty Images Its a great substitution if youre short on zucchini or want to add some sweetness without more sugar....

Say no to flabby chicken skin. Simply Recipes / Getty Images Ive always had a love-hate relationship with chicken thighs. When done well, they are moist, juicy, and have crisp skin. Simply Recipes / Getty Images Compared to chicken breasts, they are more affordable and forgiving to cook thanks to the higher fat content. So what’s to hate? Three words: flabby chicken skin. Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel Just typing that made me physically shudder....

Simply Recipes / Getty Images As far back as I can remember, Ive been in love with tomatoes. Ive already eaten what may be a lifetime supply of them. Usually, I like them just as they arethree simple, perfect ingredients. Simply Recipes / Getty Images I combine them in all kinds of ways, fromCaprese saladstopasta. Tips for Making Great Tomato Sandwiches Simply Recipes / Getty Images

It’s a pantry staple. The powdered ginger I had always put in baking recipes suddenly seemed so basic. I bakedcrystallized ginger in scones, and everyones eyes lit up as they chewed. Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock Its made by boiling sliced or cubed ginger root to make it tender and less peppery. Finally, the sugar-coated ginger is dried. The resulting crystallized ginger stays moist and delicious as long as you keep it in an airtight container....

Because most store-bought barbecue sauces are sticky sweet and gloppy. In Texas, they painstakingly slow-smoke brisket. In Alabama, they dip smoked chicken in a thin mayonnaise-based sauce. Simply Recipes / Nick Evans In North Carolina, they hickory-smokepork shoulderor whole hogs and serve the meat with a super-tart vinegar sauce. Western North Carolinians just add a little bit of ketchup. This is why barbecued meats are usually paired with a sour and sweet sauce....

They’re bound to make your life easier and tastier. However, just because I cant make it myself doesnt mean Im willing to compromise on taste. Sriracha Shrimp Bowl ($3.49) Calling all sriracha loversthis soupy seafood bowldoes notskimp on flavor. Simply Recipes / Getty Images In fact, it might just be among the tangiest and spiciest TJs frozen meals out there. When cooked, it’s a bowl of deliciousness. The bowl is topped with sour cream, tomatoes, and poblano peppers adding texture and flavor....

Its just four ingredients. Then I went ahead and had three kids, and the rest was history. Lately, Ive been swapping my kids' noodles for a quick and easy cheesy couscous. Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm It comes together in 10 minutes and requires basically zero hands-on time. Couscous is made from precooked coarsely ground semolina and packs in almost 10 grams of protein per serving. If Im being honest, its a favorite for the 39 and up crowd, too....

Just combine, shake, and drizzle. Its quick to make, budget-friendly, and tastier than store-bought. Just shake it up in an ordinary jar using pantry staples. Simply Recipes / Lori Rice The inspiration for the flavor here is the old-school Good Seasons Italian Dressing I grew up on. If I happened to be in the kitchen, shed outsource the task to me. This one is no exception! Simply Recipes / Lori Rice...

They taste fancy without the fuss. Thats where my tahini-chocolate dates come in. I recently hosted a meal for friends visiting from Denmark and served thesethey were gone in minutes. Simply Recipes / Shayma Saadat Dates are also a traditional part of breaking fast during Ramadan. My son observes Ramadan, and he always breaks his fast with a customary date. Instead of serving them plain, I make these chocolate-covered tahini dates for him....

It’s so good everyone always asks for the recipe. It was great ham, but it needed a little pizzazz. My instincts were correct: a ham basted with figgy glaze proved irresistible. Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock Shoppers would take one bite, immediately preorder a ham, and beg for my recipe. Its easy, its delicious, and it makes awesomeleftovers. There are other brands of fig spread (sometimes labeled fig jam or fig preserves)....

It doesn’t require any chopping! This one, called apan bagnat, opened my eyes to a whole different way to sandwich. My mind was blown. Simply Recipes / Robin Asbell My Midwestern roots had led me to believe that only mayonnaise went into tuna salad. Turns out I was wrong. Canned tuna in water is kind of dry; that why we need to dress it up. Simply Recipes / Robin Asbell...