Build-Your-Own, Done Right

Quick Paratha

In London, cookbook author Meera Sodha taught us her brilliant shortcut for making paratha, a type of unleavened South Asian flatbread. She cuts store-bought frozen puff pastry into portions, works each portion into a ball, then rolls them out into ro

By Courtney HillNovember 14, 2025

Falafel

After rigorous testing, we achieved a falafel that's crispy. light, and tender.

By Diane UngerJune 6, 2022

Moroccan Semolina Flatbreads (Harcha)

For years, Chris Kimball reminisced about a Moroccan breakfast at which he was served harcha—like a “particularly delicate variety of cornbread married to an English muffin.”

Pizzas with Pancetta, Fig Jam and Blue Cheese

Make pizza night feel luxurious with fig jam, pancetta, and blue cheese.

Dutch Oven Beef Birria Tacos

Slow-cooked, succulent meaty stew in a thick, chili-rich sauce.

By Diane UngerAugust 9, 2021

Chicken Tinga (Tinga Poblana de Pollo)

This chicken tinga—a tomatoey Mexican chicken dish, often topping tostadas—is a perfect example of quick cooking packed with a lively medley of flavors.

By Courtney HillNovember 13, 2020

Piadina

This quick, supple flatbread from northern Italy gets its bubbly and charred from a screaming-hot cast iron skillet.

Easy-Stretch Yogurt Pizza Dough

Is it heretical to use yogurt in pizza dough? Traditionalists would say yes. But there’s no arguing that the yogurt in this high-hydration formula yields a dough that is easy to shape into rounds because it does not recoil when stretched. It also adds

By Chris KimballSeptember 19, 2024

Pour-in-the-Pan Pizza with Parmesan Cream, Fontina and Arugula

Our pour-in-the-pan pizza features a bubbly focaccia-style dough, but lighter; fresh arugula and a light hand with cheese preserves the crust’s delicate texture.

By Diane Unger & Chris KimballNovember 1, 2022

Pour-in-the-Pan Pizza with Tomatoes and Mozzarella

This focaccia-pizza hybrid represents the culmination of Chris Kimball’s lifelong quest for the perfect pizza dough.

By Diane Unger & Chris KimballApril 16, 2020

Pizza with Ricotta, Zucchini and Mint

The bright, summery flavors of this pizza are a nice change from rich, cheesy, tomatoey pies. Be sure to choose medium-sized zucchini or summer squash—that is, one that weighs no more than about 8 ounces. Its texture will be more tender and its core w

By Courtney HillSeptember 11, 2024

Inverted Pizza with Onions, Potatoes and Thyme

An all-time Milk Street favorite, this pizza comes together with store bought dough, rolled out over the toppings. Flip it over after baking, and get toppings that meld with the crust.

Vietnamese Rice Noodle Bowls with Broiled Marinated Pork (Bún Thịt Nướng)

An abundance of texture and flavor contrasts: mouthwateringly savory pork, fresh mint and romaine, crunchy peanuts, and a bed of bouncy, flavor-absorbing noodles.

By Courtney HillApril 25, 2023

Vietnamese-Style Meatball Lettuce Wraps

Meatballs, carrot salad and a dipping sauce? Seems like a lot of work. But not so with these Vietnamese-style meatballs.

Yogurt and Olive Oil Flatbreads

Incredibly delicious and soft, these flatbreads from chef Marianna Leivaditaki make smart use of a short ingredients list.

By Rose HattabaughAugust 9, 2021

Turkish-Style Flaky Flatbreads

Lavishly flaky and buttery, these skillet flatbreads, katmer, come together with just four ingredients.

By Diane UngerFebruary 1, 2023

Chicken, Salsa Verde and Tortilla Casserole (Pastel Azteca)

“Pastel azteca” translates to “Aztec cake,” but often referred to as "tortilla pie"—comprised of corn tortillas layered with sauce, meat, cheeses, crema, and vegetables.

By Courtney HillDecember 14, 2020

Tlayudas (Oaxacan Quesadillas)

When a taco won't satisfy your appetite, reach for a hefty tlayuda: Oaxaca's pizza-format tortilla topped with melty cheese, meat, beans, chilis, and fixings galore.

By Diane UngerApril 8, 2019

Grilled Tacos al Pastor

We figured out how to get dripping, fall-apart tender meat for the best shortcut tacos al pastor.

Traybake Tacos al Pastor

We’ve moved tacos al pastor off the spit roast and onto your baking sheet. Well-marbled boneless pork shoulder turns crisp and succulent in a high-heat oven, then gets drenched with a sweet-and-spicy chili blender sauce. To simplify prep, buy fresh pi

By Courtney HillJanuary 31, 2025

Flatbreads Filled with Pork, Green Olives and Feta

These pork-stuffed buttery flatbreads contain so many surprising flavor pops, despite being such a simple meal.

Tortilla Soup

Our take on sopa de tortilla is a simple, homestyle tortilla soup like the one made for us by home cook Jazmín Martínez in Mexico City. It is pureed for smoothness; contrasting colors, flavors and textures are added with garnishes. For the best result

By Diane UngerSeptember 14, 2020

Chicken and Tortilla Soup

Tortilla soup is the ultimate cure-all—a smoky, tomatoey chicken soup with spices, a cut of lime, and (optional) jalapeño heat. It’s also an excellent pantry meal.

By Rose HattabaughNovember 16, 2022

Mexican Stewed Beans with Salsa Fresca

Soupy beans brightened with a late-addition sofrito of tomatoes and chilies, learned from chef Eduardo García in Mexico City.

By Diane UngerJune 8, 2020