Cooking Difficulty
Choose a recipe that matches your experience or helps you practice something new. The five levels—Beginner, Easy, Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert—reflect the skills, precision, and coordination involved. Read the method before starting; a quick recipe can still call for careful technique.
Browse the posts below, or choose a subcategory when available.
Advanced
Put your culinary experience to work with recipes that reward skill, patience, and attention to detail. From refined preparations to challenging cooking techniques, these dishes offer experienced home cooks the opportunity to create impressive results and expand their culinary repertoire.
Beginner
New to cooking? Start here! These approachable recipes feature simple ingredients, familiar kitchen tools, and easy-to-follow instructions. No previous cooking experience is needed—just a little curiosity and an appetite for something delicious.
Easy
Ready to build your kitchen confidence? These recipes introduce everyday cooking techniques while keeping preparation straightforward and enjoyable. Perfect for home cooks who know their way around the kitchen and appreciate delicious results without unnecessary complications.
Intermediate
Take your cooking skills to the next level! These recipes invite you to explore more involved preparations, coordinate multiple steps, and practice techniques that bring greater depth, flavor, and creativity to your cooking. A rewarding choice for confident home cooks looking for a satisfying challenge.
In this collection
Cranberry Millionaire Salad
Cranberry Millionaire Salad! If you love Ambrosia salad, you’re going to go crazy for this dish! Perfect served along side turkey dinner! Ingredients 1 8-ounce tub cool whip,…
Holiday Cranberry Salad
Ingredients 1 10-ounce package fresh cranberries 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 small package cranberry jello 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice…
Texas Chili
Ingredients 12 ancho chiles, stems and seeds removed 7 pasilla chiles, stems and seeds removed 2 1/2 tablespoons cumin seeds, toasted, then ground 1 tablespoon whole coriander seeds,…
Oatmeal Cranberry Pecan Cookies
These Oatmeal Cranberry Pecan Cookies have a chewy, moist consistency and are packed with a mix of favorites: rolled oats, chocolate, pecans, and cranberries. Perfect for holiday baking!…
Instant Pot Polenta Cacio e Pepe
Ingredients 1 cup polenta (not quick-cooking) 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more Freshly ground black pepper 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 4 ounces Pecorino and/or Parmesan, finely grated, plus…
Texas State Fair Chili
The following recipe, which appeared in Texas Co-op Power’s 60 Years of Home Cooking, won Gay Dixson (then a member of Pedernales EC) the Texas State Fair El…
Lemon Curd
Lemon curd in the Vitamix is a delightful lemon spread made with eggs, sugar, butter, and, of course, lemons! The Vitamix makes this recipe a breeze. It is…
Amish Onion Patties
While everyone has heard of onion rings before, my favorite friend onion was always the patty. Onion patties as a side for meatloaf…yum. Throw one on a thick…
ChefSteps Style Rice
This method uses the radiant heat of your oven for full proof, fluffy rice. Preheat oven to 300°F. In two separate containers, measure 1 part rice to 1.5…
Chimichurri Sauce
This bright sauce, filled with herbs, has some Jalapeño in it for an added punch. Use this Argentinian condiment to top grilled meats and fish or toss with…
