15 comforting meals Business Insider editors and reporters are cooking at home - plus the cookware and tools we use to make them perfect
Caramelized shallot pasta
Get the recipe from Alison Roman at NYT Cooking here
It's an easy, delicious pasta dish that's mostly made of pantry staples. Caramelized shallots, anchovies, and tomato paste come together to make a sticky red sauce that's layered with flavor. It's super simple to make but was a major crowd-pleaser. The recipe makes more than enough sauce, so we repurposed the leftovers to make shakshuka the next morning. —Remi Rosmarin, reporter
What you'll need:- Le Creuset 5.5-quart Dutch Oven, available at Bed Bath & Beyond, $360 | Beautiful as it is versatile. I love the rustic look the stoneware piece brings to the kitchen, but more importantly, it's so practical. It's made to last for years and is the perfect vessel for all sorts of recipes, like no-knead bread, hearty stews, and easy one-pot pasta.
- All-Clad 8-quart Stainless Steel Stockpot, available at Williams Sonoma, $445 | Currently, I'm staying with my parents and cooking in their kitchen, which is stocked much better than my own. The pot is pricey, but it's made to last — my parents have had this pot longer than they've had me! We used this to make the pasta for the dish because it's large, heats up quickly and evenly, and makes for easy cleanup.
- Roland Anchovy Fillets, available at Amazon, $9.29 | Anchovies are polarizing, but they add a serious umami flavor that you can't get with salt alone. In this dish, they melt right into the sauce so you can't even see them. Just give anchovies a chance, you won't regret it.
Garlicky Cuban pork
Get the recipe from Melissa Clark at NYT Cooking here
Delicious pulled pork dish that's great served in tortillas or over rice and beans (we did both!). The recipe itself is pretty easy — just set aside some time earlier in the day to make the marinade. Otherwise, the Instant Pot does most of the work. —Emily Cohn, deputy editor-in-chief
What you'll need:- Instant Pot Duo 60 6-quart, available at Amazon, $79 | I was apprehensive about the Instant Pot at first, but I'm now obsessed. We've made everything from meatballs to yogurt in it. It's so easy and has really expanded my recipe repertoire!
- Dinner in an Instant Cookbook, available at Barnes & Noble, $19.80 | Melissa Clark is my cooking role model, so this cookbook was a must-buy when I first got the Instant Pot. I honestly probably wouldn't have considered an Instant Pot in the first place if she hadn't recommended it. This book was a great introduction to Instant Pot cooking and is full of interesting recipes I'm looking forward to trying.
Summer corn with chorizo and scallops
Get the recipe from Antoni Porowski at Today.com here
I reviewed Antoni's entire cookbook when it first came out, and this is the dish I just keep going back to because it is so easy and delicious (it only takes about 15 minutes). I've made it as a side, put it in wraps, and even used it as a simple bed and topped with seared scallops — which seems like an odd pairing, but was actually delicious. —Hannah Freedman, associate editor
What you'll need:- Antoni in the Kitchen Cookbook, available at Amazon, $15 | This book has many other great and easy recipes I've pulled from.
- GreenPan Valencia Pro Nonstick Fry Pan, available at Macy's, $70 | Stovetop chicken, eggs, one-pan recipes like this one. You name it and I do it all in this fry pan that I've had for years. It makes the cleanup super easy.
- Wusthof Classic Chef Knife, available at Williams Sonoma, $150 | I've had this knife for over a decade and it has served me well. It makes cutting the kernels off the corn cobs a breeze.
Berry crinkle cookies
Get the recipe from Adrianna Adarme here
These cookies are the perfect sweet bite. They're pink, thanks to freeze-dried strawberries, and deliver a powerful berry punch. The recipe is easy to follow and includes mostly ingredients you'd already have at home (besides freeze-dried strawberries). —Ellen Hoffman, executive editor
What you'll need:- Natierra Nature's Organic Freeze-Dried Strawberries, available at Amazon, $5 | The star ingredient. I use one whole package per batch.
- Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus Food Processor, available at Target, $40 | For grinding the freeze-dried strawberries.
- AmeriColor Soft Gel Paste Food Color Kit, available at Walmart, $26.25 | For amplifying the natural pink color the strawberries give this dough. The AmeriColor kit comes with 12 colors and is a go-to for many food bloggers, which is how I found out about it.
- OXO Good Grips Medium Cookie Scoop, available at Amazon, $15 | For scooping out balls of dough that are all the same size. The cookie scoop also comes in handy when I'm making savory recipes too, like chicken and dumplings.
- OXO Good Grips Silicone Baking Mats, available at Bed Bath & Beyond, $20 | For easier cleanup.
- Williams Sonoma Cooling Rack, available at Williams Sonoma, $30 | For cooling the cookies once they're done in the oven.
Bubble tea
I miss bubble tea, so my husband and I started to make our own at home. It's surprisingly easy — just boil these tapioca pearls for a few minutes in water and some sugar or honey and then drop them into a glass with your milk tea of choice. —Jada Wong, senior editor
What you'll need:- Qbubble Taro Powder, available at Amazon, $17.90 | My husband prefers taro milk tea and this powder from Qbubble is the best-tasting one we've had so far.
- Pantai Thai Iced Tea, available at Amazon, $8.56 | I love the Thai tea blend from Pantai. It's the same blend many Thai restaurants use, but I'll sweeten it with honey or monk fruit instead of the traditional condensed milk.
- WuFuYuan Tapioca Pearl, available at Amazon, $8.84
Chocolate chip muffins
Find the recipe at All Recipes here
Chocolate chip muffins are one of my favorite snacks, desserts, and breakfast meals, so I decided to try a new recipe while stuck inside. These chocolate chip muffins were so quick and easy to make and were perfectly moist and delicious. My only suggestion would be to bake for 18-20 minutes rather than 20-25 minutes (or until a toothpick comes out clean). —Victoria Gracie, social media associate
What you'll need:- Cuisinart Easy Grip 12-Muffin Pan, available at Walmart, $18.29 | Making moist muffins and cupcakes is easy with this pan. Recently, I had to throw out my old muffin pan and I knew it was time for a little bit of an upgrade, which is why I chose this one. I also love the two side grips made from silicone, which make it easier to remove the pan from the oven.
Brothy beans
Get the technique from Carla Lalli Music at Bon Appetit here
I've been watching a lot of Bon Appetit videos on YouTube lately and have been riffing on quite a few recipes from the site. One of my go-tos right now is a simple pot of beans, simmered for a very long time with basically anything you want.
It's actually not so much a recipe as a technique Carla learned about from the chef of Brooklyn's own Marlow and Sons restaurant; you soak some dry beans, cook them with a lot of water and a thick layer of olive oil or other fat, and you toss in anything else you like and salt it like hell. I've been using halved lemons, a whole head of garlic, and whatever herbs are in my fridge (usually oregano or bay leaves). If you make the beans, don't skip the fat! —Sally Kaplan, senior editor
What you'll need:- Le Creuset 5.5-quart Dutch Oven, available at Williams Sonoma, $360 | This is a one-pot dish, and in my opinion, that pot needs to be a cast-iron Dutch oven because it retains heat evenly and can withstand long cook times. Mine is by Le Creuset, but it doesn't need to be. Staub and Great Jones make excellent versions as well.
No-knead bread
Get the recipe from Mark Bittman at NYT Cooking here
I've never been big into baking or cooking, but this has been the perfect entry-level experience: simple instructions, minimal ingredients and tools, and delicious outcomes — even if the ratios are a bit off. If you're having trouble finding yeast locally or online, never fear! There are workarounds for that too, like this one from Quartz. Pro tip: Add walnuts for crunch. —Mara Leighton, senior reporter
What you'll need:- Le Creuset 2-quart Round Dutch Oven, available at Williams Sonoma, $220
- Reynolds 50 sq. ft. Parchment Paper, available at Target, $3.89 | I've made bread both with and without a Dutch oven and parchment paper in the last few weeks and, at least for a beginner, the Dutch oven lined with parchment paper is the path of least resistance to perfectly crusty-on-the-outside-soft-on-the-inside loaves. It'll save you some cleanup too.
New York-style bagels
Get the recipe from Joshua Weissman here
As a desperate New Yorker with frequent bagel cravings, I decided to give Joshua Weissman's take on the New York City bagel a try. His detailed directions made it easy to follow, and to my surprise, fun to do. This recipe yields anywhere from eight to a dozen bagels and takes less than three hours to make. Throughout the video, he thoroughly explains the fundamentals to achieve a New York City-style bagel from the comfort of your kitchen. —Alexa Bleustein, e-commerce analyst
What you'll need:- KitchenAid Professional 5-quart Mixer KV25G0X, available at Target, $280 | To get the dough started, I used my KitchenAid to expedite the process. Not only does the stand mixer make for timeless kitchen decor, but it is built to last. Because this recipe calls for a smooth, stretchy dough, I used the hook attachment. From there, I let the dough knead for roughly 10-15 minutes at medium-high speed.
- Staub 6-quart Dutch Oven, available at Williams Sonoma, $250 | Boiling the bagels in a pot that can retain heat is a crucial step to ensure they develop a crust and chewy texture before going into the oven. I used my Staub Dutch oven for this because there's nothing quite like it. It retains and distributes heat throughout, not to mention it's a helpful pot to have if you're interested in making soup, bread, braising meat, and sauces. Dutch ovens have you covered from A to Z, and rest assured, are worth the investment.
- Everything But the Bagel Seasoning, available in stores at Trader Joe's, $2 | Before putting the bagels into the oven, I transfer them to a cooling rack and brush each one with egg wash. After, I generously sprinkle the seasoning and pop them into the oven for 20 minutes. Then I transfer them back to the cooling rack for about 15 minutes before they're ready to eat.
Tater tot chicken pot hotdish
Get the recipe from Molly Yeh here
Molly Yeh's Tater Tot Chicken Pot Hotdish is quintessential comfort food. The recipe is pretty straightforward (you can follow along with Yeh as she makes it) and uses ingredients most of us have on hand or could easily find at the grocery store. —Ellen Hoffman, executive editor
What you'll need:- Joseph Joseph Chop2Pot Folding Chopping Board, available at Bed Bath & Beyond, $10-$20 | For chopping the vegetables and easily transferring them to the stockpot. The folding sides are genius!
- Five Two 6-quart Stock Pot, available at Food52, $119 or Le Creuset 5.5-quart Dutch Oven, available at Williams Sonoma, $360 | For cooking the chicken pot pie filling. Either is a perfect size for all this goodness.
- Pyrex 3-quart Oblong Baking Dish, available at Bed Bath & Beyond, $11 | For finishing the cooking in the oven until the tater tots are golden brown.
Zucchini quiche
Prepare one sliced zucchini, four eggs, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 cup Bisquick, 1/2 cup olive oil, 6 ounces melted butter, 1 cup mild cheddar/Monterey Jack cheese, and two pinches of salt and pepper. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix all ingredients, adding the zucchini last. Pour the mixture into a greased 9-inch Pyrex pie plate. Cook for 35-40 minutes or until it's golden brown. Let cool before cutting and enjoy! —Victoria Gracie, social media associate
What you'll need:- Pyrex Grip Rite 9.5-inch Glass Pie Pan, available at Target, $5.29 | This is a versatile dish that everyone should have in their kitchen. It can be used for cooking and baking — the options are endless. My boyfriend and I use the dish to make quiche, cinnamon rolls, strawberry shortcake, and more.
Buttermilk pancakes
Get the recipe from Deb Perelman at Smitten Kitchen here
I swear by this pancake recipe from Smitten Kitchen. It's great served with fresh fruit, or with Stonewall Kitchen's Wild Blueberry Jam if you don't have anything fresh on hand. The recipe is simple even for beginners and only requires a handful of ingredients, most of which people usually have at home. The buttermilk can easily be swapped with plain yogurt too. If I'm feeling fancy or hosting brunch, I sprinkle the finished pancake stacks with confectioner's sugar. —Ellen Hoffman, executive editor
What you'll need:- Mosser Glass Glass 3-Piece Mixing Bowl Set, available at Food52, $82 | For the batter. I love this glass mixing bowl set. It brings some vintage, farmhouse charm to the kitchen and the bowls themselves have a nice weight to them that makes for sturdy vessels.
- Joseph Joseph Whiskle, available at Bed Bath & Beyond, $10 | For whisking the batter together and scraping every last bit from the sides of the bowl.
- Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick 11-Inch Square Griddle, available at Bed Bath & Beyond, $43 | For cooking the pancakes.
- OXO Good Grips Twisting Tea Ball, available at Amazon, $10 | For artfully sprinkling confectioner's sugar. This loose-leaf tea infuser is more versatile than it seems.
- Ceramic Plates and Dip Dishes, available at Year & Day, from $26 | For serving. I admired the startup's dinnerware from afar on Instagram for over a year, so I finally caved and bought the complete set last Christmas as a gift to myself. Thankfully, it's also gorgeous in person and it's held up well to frequent washings in the dishwasher with no chips or cracks yet.
Banana chocolate chip muffins
Get the recipe at All Recipes here
I love to bake, but I typically stick to the basics. I have a sweet tooth that will be satisfied by pretty much anything, and because I use baking as a stress reliever, I don't often push myself beyond my comfort zone of chocolate chip cookies and banana bread. —Emily Hein, story production fellow
What you'll need:- Bradshaw Good Cook Nonstick Pan, available at Walmart, $7.95 | This banana bread recipe has been my go-to for years, but I didn't have the appropriate pan at home, so I made it in a muffin tin this time! I followed the recipe exactly (plus some dark chocolate chips), and while I do miss the classic loaf, the muffins are equally delicious.
Sausage and veggie sweet potato hash
Saute your protein of choice and various veggies (I used shiitake mushroom, creamer potatoes, sweet potatoes, mini bell peppers, and zucchini) in a pan over medium heat with oil and your favorite spices. Parboil the potatoes first so they cook faster. When all the veggies are almost fully cooked, add two eggs in the middle and cover with a lid. Finish with a seasoning or hot sauce. —Connie Chen, senior reporter
What you'll need:- Bubbe's Chicken Soup Sausage, available at Goldbelly, $45 | Seemore's a cool new food company making delicious, natural sausages that also sneakily include veggies so you get a healthier protein fix. I love their creative flavors, which I've never seen before — chicken soup, broccoli melt, and loaded baked potato … need I say more?
- Santoku Knife, available for pre-order at Made In, $89 | Super sharp and the only knife you'll need to cut up all your ingredients. It's so satisfying and efficient to prep meals with this strong and versatile knife.
- Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, available for pre-order at Sardel, $35 | Online kitchen startup Sardel offered to send a bottle of its olive oil over when we first reviewed its high-quality stainless steel cookware. Like the cookware, the olive oil is produced in Italy. It's 100% organic, with a ton of health benefits.
- Field Cast Iron Skillet, available at Field Company, $75-$215 | This skillet makes one-pan cooking (and cleanup) easy. It has strong heat retention and distribution, which helped cook all my veggies quickly, and since it's developed a nice seasoning over the course of a year; my final hash was very flavorful.
Protein pancakes with chia, hemp hearts, and strawberries
I learned this recipe when my husband and I visited Banff a few years ago, and it's become our go-to weekend breakfast. We stayed at an Airbnb and our host made delicious pancakes with chia seeds and hemp hearts. —Jada Wong, senior editor
What you'll need:- Kodiak Cakes Buttermilk Flapjack and Waffle Mix, available at Target, $5.59 | I tweaked the original recipe by using protein pancake mix and fruit. These are light and fluffy with a satisfying but not overwhelming crunch from the chia seeds and hemp hearts, plus natural sweetness from the strawberries.
Next Story
With Rupay Credit Card on UPI, mobile payments pioneer Paytm deepens its leadership in UPI
Financial inclusion made easy for India’s small merchants with Paytm’s pioneering QR codes and Soundbox
A 24-year-old stock trader who made over $8 million in 2 years shares the 4 indicators he uses as his guides to buy and sell
Delhi Metro launches WhatsApp-based ticketing service on Airport Line
Fintech unicorn Taxfix lays off 120 employees to cut costs
Not found sufficient evidence to arrest Brij Bhushan: Delhi Police
Best Agrolife's Revenue Crosses ₹1,700 Cr., EBITDA Margin Reaches 18%, and 30% Dividend Recommended in FY23
Four out of 10 Adani group companies report a fall in profit in FY23
