Dawn Perry
Digital Food Editor, Emeritus
Dawn Perry is the author of Ready, Set, Cook; How to Make Good Food With What's on Hand and a former digital food editor at Bon Appétit. Before joining Condé Nast, she developed recipes in the kitchens of Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food, and Real Simple. She got her culinary start at Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco and has since worked in professional kitchens and private homes on both coasts. After BA, she returned to Real Simple as food director and made stints editing for Delish and Marley Spoon before co-founding her own direct-to-consumer line of baked goods, Superkind Cookies. She once made a burger for President Barack Obama.
BA’s Best French Toast
A long soak is the secret to this French toast’s supremely custardy interior.
Spatchcock Turkey With Anise and Orange
There are many (many!) Thanksgiving turkey recipes out there. But this roast spatchcock turkey recipe with its aniseed and orange dry brine is, as former BA test kitchen director Carla Lalli Music put it, “for people who want a turkey that actually tastes good, and not a turkey that just looks good.” (Watch her make this recipe.)
BA’s Best Mac and Cheese
This homemade mac and cheese is our Platonic ideal: It is deeply cheesy and creamy and has a crunchy crust. Plus, it doubles easily for a crowd.
BA’s Best Cheesecake
A whole vanilla bean takes this supremely creamy, wonderfully rich, classic New York–style cheesecake to pro-level.
BA’s Best Banana Bread
Dark brown sugar and a dollop of mascarpone make for superior tenderness. Walnuts optional but encouraged.
Ratatouille
Simple to make, packed with flavor, and adaptable to whatever vegetables you have on hand, ratatouille belongs in your summer cooking rotation.
Baked Ziti
With its creamy Parmesan béchamel and tangy pancetta-enriched marinara sauce, this baked ziti recipe is one of our favorite uses for a casserole dish.
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Make spinach artichoke dip for a crowd! Make it for a party for one! But definitely make it. This version won’t disappoint.
Bucatini with Butter-Roasted Tomato Sauce
Because you need more butter-roasted things in your life.
All We Want for Dinner Are These Cucumbers With Crispy Beef
A beef-and-cucumber dish that you never saw coming.
Spicy Beef and Cucumbers with Black Vinegar
Never cooked cucumbers before? This recipe should convince you to give the method a try, especially when they’re quickly tossed in a hot pan and kept crisp, as they are here.
Pork Chops with Mustard-Plum Relish
Other stone fruit, such as peaches, nectarines, or apricots, would also be compatible in this sweet-sour-spicy relish.
Grilled Cauliflower Steaks and Scallions
Slicing the cauliflower into steaks from the middle helps the head stay intact as you cut.
Grilled Tofu with Chimichurri
No offense to all the vegetarians, but the chimichurri is also pretty fantastic on your favorite steak.
Grilled Eggplant and Lemons With Garlic Labneh
Use whatever type of eggplant looks most appealing at the market; they should be firm to the touch, with glossy skin. Small globe eggplants are easy to find, but this is also a terrific time to use long Asian types, small round white ones, or any of the cool-looking striped varieties.
Is White Rice and Kimchi a Healthy Snack?
We know that kimchi is good for you, but what about if you serve white rice with it?
4 Cream Cheese Sandwich Ideas (Crusts Optional)
We love a classic cream cheese sandwich. Here are 4 riffs to make happen.
Zucchini and Rice Pancakes
Somewhere between a frittata, a fritter, and fried rice, these little pancakes are packed with protein and delicious with almost any cooked grain or leftover greens in the filling.