Recipe of the Day - Cure Your Dinner Indecision

Waste less, cook faster! I’m sharing a simple kitchen habit that cuts down on food waste while making prep and cleanup a bit quicker too.

In this solo episode, I talk about a small shift in the way you handle ingredients that can save time and keep good food from ending up in the trash. It’s an easy change, but once you start doing it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t always cook this way.

I also share the version of Tuscan soup that I make for my family all the time but have...

I know what you want. A classic, sliceable meatloaf that’s rich and never mushy, right? You’ve found it! I tested this recipe over 20 times to get the texture and structure exactly right. This is the true old-school loaf pan version, made with higher-fat ground beef for real flavor and just enough added ingredients to highlight the meat, not hide it. Recipe: Old Fashioned Meatloaf from TheCookful.

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Old Fashioned Meatloaf
One Pound Meatloaf
Pork and Beef Meatloaf Recipe
Juicy Chicken Meatloaf
Turkey Meatl...

I grew up making these in my parents’ deli, and the secret to a great Reuben is simple: warm up the filling, dry out the kraut, and lightly toast the inside of the bread so it never turns soggy. Recipe: Classic Reuben Sandwich from COOKtheSTORY.

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Classic Reuben Sandwich
Christine on The Takeout giving advice about making Reuben Sandwiches
Thousand Island Dressing Recipe
Skirt Steak (Showing how to cut skirt steak against the grain. Look at the video where the concept of the grain is sh...

This dish became a house favorite before it ever had a name. In this episode, I’m sharing the story behind it and why I’m finally writing it down after years of making it from memory.

I talk about how the idea started with something Marty ate constantly during a summer in Israel and how he asked me to recreate it at home. From there, it blended with one specific version of pan con tomate that we fell in love with in Barcelona, and over time it evolved into something somewhere in between that I call Toma...

Looking for beef stew with meat that’s actually tender, not just cooked through? This is one of those recipes where patience pays off. Recipe: Beef Stew Recipe from TheCookful.

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Beef Stew Recipe
My Favorite Chili Recipe
Instant Pot Pot Roast
The All New Chicken Cookbook

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This white chicken chili recipe brings big flavor in about 35 minutes with chicken breasts, white beans, and green chilis. Recipe: White Chicken Chili from COOKtheSTORY.

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White Chicken Chili
Classic Chili Recipe
The All New Chicken Cookbook

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No guest this week. Just me in my kitchen.

My interview laptop is still broken, so instead of talking to someone else, I’m talking to you. In this episode, I share the meal I make all the time but have never written down. It’s not on my sites. There’s no official recipe. It’s just something I do when I want a treat of a dinner and don’t feel like overthinking it.

It’s a pan-fried chuck eye steak on a bed of garlicky salad, and the salad gets tossed with the steak ju...

The best chicken salad sandwiches have simple ingredients, perfect bite-sized pieces of chicken, and not too much fuss. Recipe: The Best Chicken Salad Sandwich from TheCookful.

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The Best Chicken Salad Sandwich
Basic Chicken Salad Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Baked Chicken Breasts
Poached Chicken Breasts
The All New Chicken Cookbook

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This homemade potato soup is a budget-friendly recipe that only needs a few ingredients. And since it’s ready in 30 minutes, it’s perfect comfort food for busy weeknights. Recipe: Classic Potato Soup from COOKtheSTORY.

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Classic Potato Soup
Easy Loaded Potato Soup
The All New Chicken Cookbook

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What if the most romantic dinner of the year didn’t require a reservation, a prix fixe menu, or a sink full of dishes?

It’s Valentine’s Day, and in this episode I’m sharing the simple but extravagant menu that Marty and I are making as part of our relaxed weekend at home. We’re cooking a dinner that feels special without being fussy, the kind of dinner that will let us sit and chat at the table chatting, without spending tons of time making it first.

My guest today is Ashley Covelli from Big F...

This classic chicken salad proves that you don’t need fancy add-ins or complicated steps to get incredible flavor and texture. Recipe: Chicken Salad Recipe from TheCookful.

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Chicken Salad Recipe
Thermoworks Chicken Temperature-Time Guide
The All New Chicken Cookbook

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This simple chili recipe tastes exactly like chili is supposed to: rich, beefy, and perfectly balanced, with no extra ingredients. It’s not too smoky, not too spicy, not too acidic, and not too sweet. It’s just right, and it’s ready in about 45 minutes. Recipe: Classic Chili Recipe from COOKtheSTORY.

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Classic Chili Recipe
Toasted Panko Breadcrumbs
Sausage Chili (the one Jeremy made using the wrong chili powder)
The All New Chicken Cookbook

Here's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page wi...

Forget step by step instructions and perfectly measured teaspoons. Paula Montenegro is here to take us back to a time when recipes assumed you already knew how to cook.

Paula is the voice behind the blog Vintage Kitchen Notes and is a lifelong home baker from Argentina. In this episode, we talk about how people used to cook, how recipes were written more like reminders than instructions, and what that says about cooking knowledge then versus now.
She also shares the recipe for classic Argentinian alfajores, tender cornstarch cookies filled with dulce de leche, and why...

Classic creamy baked mac and cheese, with a shortcut you’ll use over and over again! The base is just 5 ingredients and there’s no roux or separate sauce. Finish it off with some extra cheese and panko, then a quick bake to melt the top and toast the crumbs. Recipe: Baked Mac and Cheese from TheCookful.

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Baked Mac and Cheese
Homemade Mac and Cheese (Stovetop)
Evaporated Milk Mac and Cheese
The All New Chicken Cookbook

Here's the Recipe Of The Day podc...

This easy one-pan ground beef and zucchini skillet is fast and full of flavor. The Italian seasoning, red wine vinegar, and Parmesan make it more delicious than you’d ever expect for such an easy 20-minute dinner. Recipe: Ground Beef and Zucchini from COOKtheSTORY.

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Ground Beef and Zucchini
Beef and Rice Recipe
Shrimp and Rice Recipe
Chicken and Rice Recipe
Instant Pot Rice
The All New Chicken Cookbook

Here's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of ou...

Today’s episode feels extra special because later today Marty and I are going live on YouTube for the very first time, and it all traces back to a conversation I had over a year ago. I’m talking with Sharla Kostelyk from FreezerMeals101.com, whose live cooking demos and her Freezer Meal community really got me thinking about what you, my listeners, are actually looking for. 
 
So yes, Sharla was one of the inspirations for our new COOKforTWO.us community and I am so grateful to her. Today I'm sharing our conversation about how Sharla came to ado...

Looking for an easy homemade mac and cheese that’s creamy and comforting without extra steps? This 5-ingredient stovetop version skips the roux and comes together right in the pasta pot. And, it’s all ready in 20 minutes. Recipe: Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese from TheCookful.

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Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese
Evaporated Milk Mac and Cheese
Creamy Cream Cheese Mac and Cheese
Live Cooking Demo, all are welcome! Saturday, January 31st at 2:00pm EST over here
The All New Chicken Cookbook

Here...

This classic Polish comfort food is like mini meatloaves. They’re pan-fried and have a crisp dark crust, but are tender and moist inside. I learned to make these the way my boyfriend Marty grew up eating them in Poland. Recipe: Traditional Polish Kotlety Mielone from COOKtheSTORY.

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Traditional Polish Kotlety Mielone
The COOKforTWO Live Cooking Demo!
Creamy Cucumber Salad with Dill
The All New Chicken Cookbook

Here's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and yo...

Super Bowl snacks just got a lot more interesting. Chef JRob, the "rockstar chef" who's been on Ciao House, Food Network’s Chopped, Food Network’s Iron Chef Showdown, and Fox’s Master Chef, is here to share fun, crowd-pleasing ways to turn duck into game-day favorites.

In this episode, we talk about why duck is far more versatile than most people think, how to make it feel approachable even if you have never cooked it before, and which flavors and formats make the most sense for Super Bowl-style food.

And before we get into all of...

Slow cooked with 13 types of beans, this bean soup recipe makes a filling bowl of healthy and comfort. Recipe: Delicious Bean Soup from COOKtheSTORY.

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Delicious Bean Soup
The All New Chicken Cookbook

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Websites: COOKtheSTORY.com and...

Looking for an easy spaghetti and meatballs recipe with big flavor? Italian sausage in the meatballs seasons the sauce as they cook, so you need fewer ingredients and less effort, but you get all the delicious taste. Plus, it’s ready in 20 minutes. Recipe: Easy Spaghetti and Meatballs from TheCookful.

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Easy Spaghetti and Meatballs
Pork and Beef Meatballs
How to Bake Meatballs
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
The All New Chicken Cookbook

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Skip the plane ticket! Sophie Sadler is here with the homesick cook’s answer to Germany’s most surprising street food: homemade döner kebab, right down to making the bread.

Sophie specializes in German cooking on her blog Dirndle Kitchen, and in this episode we talk about how döner, while not traditionally “German,” is so woven into everyday life in German.

We discuss the real-deal components that make döner taste like the ones she remembers and Sophie walks us through building that classic döner experience at home, from the seasoned meat to the cream...

For this roasted broccoli recipe broccoli stalks are roasted whole to end up with a sweet caramelized outside, soft inside. It’s seriously the best broccoli recipe ever! Recipe: Whole Roasted Broccoli from COOKtheSTORY.

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Whole Roasted Broccoli
Lemon Butter Broccoli
The All New Chicken Cookbook

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One of my family’s favorite cozy dinners, this skillet brings ground beef, mushrooms, and rice together in one pan for a delicious, stress free meal with almost no cleanup. Recipe: Ground Beef and Mushroom Skillet from COOKtheSTORY.

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Ground Beef and Mushroom Skillet
How to Use Dried Mushrooms
Ground Beef and Rice Skillet
The All New Chicken Cookbook

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Forget about chasing the loudest food trends! In 2026, the real movement is quieter, more personal, and a lot more meaningful.

Mike Kostyo of Menu Matters is back to kick off the new year, and this time he's zooming out. As a Trendologist who studies what we're eating now and what we'll be eating later, Mike explains why the next wave of food culture is less about viral ingredients and more about authenticity, intention, and connection. Think smaller batch, clearer sourcing, and brands choosing what truly fits them instead of jumping on every bandwagon. I've got to say...

Looking for deeper flavor in your baked BBQ chicken legs? Pull the skin back before seasoning and then let the high heat take care of the rest. Instructions are given for delicious skin-off chicken legs as well. Recipe: Baked BBQ Chicken Legs from TheCookful.

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Baked BBQ Chicken Legs
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs
Crispiest Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Youtube Video For Skinning Raw Chicken Drumsticks
BBQ Grilled Chicken Thighs
The All New Chicken Cookbook<...

Need a quick protein for dinner? Chicken tenderloins cook in the air fryer in about 10 minutes and don’t need a breading, just simple seasoning for flavor and color. They’re juicy, fast, and perfect for busy nights. Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins from TheCookful.

Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #ad
Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
The All New Chicken Cookbook

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Jo...

Forget the idea that meal planning has to be rigid or boring. Angela Pittman is here with a real-life, flexible approach that makes weeknight dinners easier and more delicious, especially when school and routines kick back in.

Angela has been a professional in the food industry for decades, and she's also my sister-in-law! With all of her cooking skills, and practical life skills, she has figured out how to plan meals in a way that actually works for her busy family. In this first episode of the new year, it's time to get back into our routines...

Want the cozy and classic combo of tender pork chops and tangy sauerkraut quickly? Thin pork chops cook in minutes, and apple adds a touch of sweetness. And the sauerkraut too, of course! Recipe: Pork Chops and Sauerkraut from COOKtheSTORY.

Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #ad
The All New Chicken Cookbook
Pork Chops and Sauerkraut
Pork and Sauerkraut
Instant Pot Pork and Sauerkraut
How To Cook Thin Pork Chops Perfectly
Smothered Pork Chops

Here's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our...

If you’re having friends over for New Year’s Eve, a delicious and festive drink solution is to serve a Champagne punch. Pour the ingredients into a pretty bowl and get ready for the countdown! Recipe: Ginger Basil Champagne Punch & Cranberry Champagne Punch from COOKtheSTORY.

Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #ad
Ginger Basil Champagne Punch
Cranberry Champagne Punch
The All New Chicken Cookbook

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Jo...

Think oysters are only for fancy restaurants or fearless eaters? Lisa Lotts from Garlic and Zest is here to show you why oysters deserve a spot at your New Year’s Eve table, and how easy they can be to enjoy at home.

Lisa is the creator of GarlicandZest.com, where she shares bold, approachable recipes that make cooking feel exciting but doable. In this episode, we talk about why oysters are such a classic celebration food, how to buy and store them with confidence, and what makes them perfect for ringing in the new year.

...

If you’re a garlic lover, this Garlic Roast Pork is for you. Coated with a simple blend of garlic, herbs, and olive oil, this pork loin roast is delicious! Recipe: Garlic Pork Roast from COOKtheSTORY.

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Garlic Pork Roast
How to Brine Pork Loin
Homemade Pork Gravy
Juicy Pork Loin Recipe
Pork Butt Roast
Roasted Pork Shoulder
Perfect Pork Rib Roast
How to Make a Pork Crown Roast
Baked Pork Tenderloin That Isn’t Dry
The All New Chic...

This Christmas Coffee Blend is easy to make and tasty to drink. It’s ground coffee flavored with cinnamon and other spices. Recipe: Christmas Coffee Recipe from COOKtheSTORY.

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Christmas Coffee Recipe
Mulled Wine Recipe
The All New Chicken Cookbook

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What do a vegan cookbook author and a New Yorker cartoonist have in common? More than you might think! Listen as Nava Atlas and The Bob join forces in a conversation that is creative, cozy, and yes, a little bit purrfect.

Nava is a longtime vegan author and illustrator, while Bob Eckstein is a celebrated cartoonist whose work you have almost certainly seen. Together, they've created the charming illustrated book Inspired by Cats: Writers and Their Mews(es). In this episode, we talk about how this unexpected partnership came together, why it actually makes perfect sense, and...

These Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers give you that buffalo wing taste in a delicious bell pepper. So much flavor and really easy to put together. Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers from TheCookful.

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Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers
Classic Stuffed Peppers
Difference Between Hot Sauce and Wing Sauce
Fancy Buffalo Wing Sauce
Homemade Buffalo Wing Sauce Recipe
The All New Chicken Cookbook

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Do you think poking holes in sausages before cooking them makes them dry out? We tested it and the results might surprise you. Recipe: Poking Holes in Sausages from COOKtheSTORY.

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Poking Holes in Sausages
Air Fryer Sausages
Air Fryer Breakfast Sausages
The All New Chicken Cookbook

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I threw my back out last week, so this episode isn't the one I thought I'd make. I planned to talk about creative pivots and following new sparks of inspiration, but instead I found myself needing something simpler. Walks. Water. Rest. It turns out those basics can be their own kind of inspiration because they remind you what support really looks like.

This week I talk with Jenni Field of Pastry Chef Online. Jenni's been spending more time painting than baking, and her shift toward art feels like a reminder that listening to yourself matters, whether you're...

The great taste of pizza with pepperoni and mushrooms, but stuffed into a healthy bell pepper. It’s a whole new twist on pizza night! Recipe: Pizza Stuffed Peppers from TheCookful.

Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #ad
Pizza Stuffed Peppers
Classic Stuffed Peppers
How to Pre-Cook Peppers for Stuffing
The All New Chicken Cookbook

Here's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.

Join my COOKforTWO Community here!

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Want juicy, evenly-cooked Instant Pot drumsticks? Leave the skin on, even if you’ll take it off before serving, and stand them up while they cook. I’ll explain why below! Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks from TheCookful.

Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #ad
Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks
The All New Chicken Cookbook

Here's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.

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Forget everything you thought you knew about frying potatoes! Beth Lee is here with smart, doable tricks for making perfectly crispy latkes just in time for Hanukkah.

This week, I kick things off with a summary of my recent trip to Miami (the sun, the food, and the fun), and then I sit down with Beth Lee @omgyummy, creator of OMGYummy.com and author of The Essential Jewish Baking Cookbook. Beth shares her go-to techniques for achieving golden, lacy-edged latkes, and even a surprising simplification of the process that makes life so much easier!

Beth...