Recipes By Carolina Gelen
35 recipes found
One-Pot Roasted Garlic Pasta
While roasting garlic can typically take close to an hour, this creamy pasta captures those sweet, nutty, mellow flavors in just 35 minutes, no roasting required. To replicate the toastiness, the process starts by gently frying the cloves in olive oil until they develop a golden-brown exterior. Because garlic can burn easily, you’ll want to keep the sizzle slow and steady and ensure the cloves are in near-constant motion. Simmering the fried garlic in water delivers two things: the characteristic roasted garlic tenderness and a flavorful stock, which becomes your base for the fragrant pasta sauce. A splash of cream and a drizzle of garlic-infused olive oil are incorporated into the starch-heavy pasta water for an irresistibly silky sauce from just a handful of ingredients.
Honey Lemon Chicken Meatballs
Sweet and sour meatballs, caramelized lemon slices and a sticky honey sauce come together in this irresistible one-pan dinner. The meatballs are tender, juicy and extra-lemony thanks to freshly grated lemon zest and bread crumbs soaked in lemon juice. For caramelized lemon slices that melt in your mouth, don’t use a large lemon with a very porous peel. Instead, aim for a smaller fruit with a thin skin; it should feel juicy when you give it a gentle squeeze. Serve this meal with freshly cooked rice and a glass of crisp white wine. Watch Carolina Gelen make this dish in this video.
Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Sloppy Joes
You can always count on this updated version of a school cafeteria classic to get dinner on the table during a busy week. These dump-it-and-forget-it chicken sloppy Joes make the perfect make-ahead meal to prepare in a slow cooker. They rely on canned chipotles in adobo sauce for an exciting flavor upgrade: The slightly sweet, tomato-scented beef mixture is now balanced with smoky, spicy chipotles and made lighter with ground chicken. When it comes to the spice level, these chicken sloppy Joes pack a pleasantly spicy kick, but can easily be adapted to any palate. (For a milder version, simply use less chipotle.) Enjoy over warm burger buns, sloppy but delicious.
Slow Cooker Chicken Vesuvio Soup
In this no-fuss recipe, chicken Vesuvio undergoes a brothy makeover: Imagine the elements and flavors of the beloved Chicago dish concentrated in a pot, with chicken, oregano, thyme, garlic, lemon, wine and more. The result is a herby, lemony and garlicky chicken soup made substantial with the addition of potatoes and sweet peas. Once the potatoes are chopped into chunks, the ingredients combine in a slow cooker. Once the chicken breast is fork-tender and easy to pull apart, frozen peas are added to the mix for an inviting sweet flavor alongside a shower of freshly chopped parsley. For the best flavor, taste before serving and season generously with salt and pepper until every spoonful is perfectly salted.
Tuna Cacio e Pepe
It’s hard to resist a quick, five-ingredient recipe, especially when it yields such a comforting meal. While fish paired with cheese is often deemed unconventional, in the right context, the two can complement each other in a memorable way. Canned albacore tuna is sprinkled in this cheesy cacio e pepe pasta for added protein, making the final dish more filling and satisfying. When it comes to emulsifying the often-temperamental sauce, the recipe offers two tips to nail it every time: Boil the pasta in a smaller-than-usual amount of water to really concentrate the starch level, then blend the cheese with the starchy pasta water like chef Luciano Monosilio does, letting your blender do the emulsifying for you. The result is a luscious, silky pasta ready to be paired with a crisp, cold glass of white wine. Watch Carolina Gelen make this dish in this video.
Smashed Scallion Burgers
When you notice an abundance of fresh scallions in markets and stores, it’s time to make this springy makeover of the irresistible Oklahoma-style burger. Topping each patty with a copious pile of thin-sliced scallions then searing them in the skillet delivers a smoky, savory burger that feels like a treat any day of the week. The scallion prep might feel a little fussy, but splitting the scallions into segments then thinly slicing them lengthwise ensures they nestle perfectly into the meat. Initially, each scallion pile fills up the skillet, but each mound will significantly reduce in volume once the burger is smashed and flipped. The crispy charred allium bits poking out the sides bring a wonderful textural boost that contrasts with the juicy patties. Watch Carolina Gelen make this dish in this video.
Lemony Peas and Dumplings
With no kneading or fussy shaping required, these easy, spoon-formed dumplings make the perfect dinner in a pinch. More like German spaetzle and Hungarian galuska than Italian gnocchi, these dumplings are made with a thick, pancake-like batter that comes together in minutes, ready to scoop and plop into boiling water. A fresh nod to chicken and dumplings, these lemon-scented dumplings develop an irresistibly chewy texture as they simmer. Thanks to the residual heat from the water, the frozen peas thaw in a couple of minutes, before getting dressed in the buttery lemon sauce. To ensure a silky-smooth sauce, gradually stir the fridge-cold butter in the lemon juice, two tablespoons at a time. Highlight the sweetness of the peas and the brightness of the lemon juice and zest with a generous sprinkle of salt to finish.
Creamy Artichoke and Charred Scallion Pasta
For a comforting, veg-forward meal, this one-pot recipe transforms dozens and dozens of charred scallions into a cheesy pasta dish. Through charring, fresh scallions transition from sharp and savory to smoky, mild and sweet, creating the perfect flavor foundation for a pasta sauce. To speed up the charring process, start with a smoking-hot pan, oil-coated scallions and a grill press or skillet to weigh down the scallions and increase surface contact. For additional body and texture, meaty canned artichokes are stirred with the pasta, along with fresh lemon zest and juice to brighten. A shower of Parmesan at the end will lead to an irresistibly silky, creamy sauce.
Pesto Chickpea Soup
If you constantly find yourself searching for the next no-fuss pantry meal to make after a busy day at work, this pesto chickpea soup is for you. It requires just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort; slicing two shallots is the most difficult thing this 20-minute recipe will require. The modest but mighty recipe relies on store-bought or homemade pesto as its main flavor source. The steps are as simple as can be: The shallots cook in the pesto’s fragrant oil until softened. Next, canned chickpeas are added to the pot and crushed, then simmer in vegetable broth until thickened. Finally, a second dose of pesto gets swirled in the stew alongside fresh spinach, preserving their radiance for a bright boost of flavor.
Avgolemono Chicken Soup With Gnocchi
This no-fuss, one-pot recipe is inspired by avgolemono soup, a traditional Greek rice soup that is prized for its silky texture and bright flavor, thanks to egg yolks and an invigorating dose of lemon. This soup achieves similar results while replacing the rice with store-bought gnocchi for a heartier take and a texture boost. The approach is simple: Simmer rotisserie chicken with stock, lemon zest and gnocchi, then thicken the soup with egg yolks and lemon juice. To prevent the eggs from curdling in the soup, you’ll want to first temper them by whisking some of the warm stock into the egg yolks before stirring the mixture back into the soup. Finish everything with torn fresh dill, lemon zest and black pepper for the perfect spoonful.
Bourbon Beef and Farro Stew
Reminiscent of a soothing beef and barley soup, this bourbon-scented short rib and farro stew brings much-needed comfort during the cold season. As with many beef stews, you’ll start by searing the short ribs. Beef short ribs are not the cheapest cut, but they are prized for their marbled fat, which builds complexity, and they simmer up deliciously fork-tender. Making the most of the flavor-packed fat rendered from the short ribs, the onions get lightly caramelized in it, then showered in splashes of smoky, sweet bourbon. Next, everything goes in the pot: The short ribs are gently simmered in beef stock alongside paprika and cumin-spiced onions, carrots and farro. A splash of balsamic finishes the stew, balancing out the rich, meaty flavors.
Miso-Maple Sheet-Pan Chicken With Brussels Sprouts
Doused in a sweet and salty marinade, this roasted maple-miso chicken with Brussels sprouts is as doable as it is delicious. With less than 15 minutes at a high temperature, the cubed chicken develops a sticky, shiny, slightly charred exterior, while maintaining a tender and juicy interior. Brushing the chicken mid-bake with marinade might seem a little fussy, but those sweet, caramelized pockets of flavor on top of the chicken are a worthy reward. If you’re looking for some additional brightness, top the chicken with a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of rice vinegar. Serve over a bowl of rice or polenta.
Cranberry-Orange Chicken
Cranberries make the perfect foundation for a sweet-and-sour chicken skillet that is appropriate for the holidays, or any day of the week. First, chicken thighs are seared until browned, then schmaltzy, cinnamon-spiced cranberries are slowly simmered in freshly squeezed orange juice, alongside melt-in-your-mouth orange slices and sweet shallots. The chicken returns to the cranberry mixture, simmering gently, then gets drizzled with honey and caramelizes under the broiler until the skin crisps for an irresistible bite. Spoon the tart, sweet and jammy sauce all over the chicken, and pair with an optional glass of crisp white wine.
Coffee Jelly With Salted Caramel Whipped Cream
Topped with dollops of freshly whipped salted caramel cream, this soft Japanese coffee jelly makes the perfect post-dinner pick-me-up — and is essentially a sweetened espresso in jiggly form. For some contrast to the jellied and creamy textures, the dessert is topped with a sprinkle of crunchy flaky salt as well as cacao nibs. It’s a great dessert to prepare in advance and assemble in front of your guests. For some extra zhuzh, you can douse the cubed coffee jelly in flavored liqueurs, like coffee, orange or chocolate – and you’ll get bonus points for using dainty little coupe glasses!
Pumpkin Spice Honeycomb Cake
This take on bánh bò nướng, a classic Vietnamese dessert, is spiced with comforting fall flavors and doused in white chocolate — and integrates pumpkin purée. Also known as honeycomb cake, this dessert has a dense, chewy interior, with a crusty exterior that makes it so snackable. Besides the irresistible flavor and texture, the recipe offers a delicious gluten-free option for your dessert table. The batter requires a few rounds of straining through a large fine-mesh sieve, so make sure to set up your work station for success, with two large bowls that can accommodate the batter. Try to not overmix, and use gentle stirring motions to prevent too many bubbles forming in the batter. A reliable nonstick Bundt pan will make unmolding the cake a breeze.
Cranberry Pudding
Think of this dessert as a more colorful, autumnal version of banana pudding. This pudding uses cranberries in place of bananas as its main flavor component. With layers of tart, silky cranberry curd, dollops of sweetened whipped cream and soft vanilla wafers tucked between, it’s a dessert to remember. At first glance, the number of steps might seem intimidating, but all you’re really making from scratch is the cranberry curd, which simply involves blending the simmered cranberries, mixing them with eggs and butter, then cooking until thickened. Serve the pudding cold, scooped into dainty little serving bowls.
Caramelized Shallot Gravy
Rather than counting on homemade stock for its flavor source, this vegan gravy highlights the sweetness of caramelized shallots, pairing them with soy sauce, balsamic vinegar and fresh herbs for a perfectly balanced gravy. Though the process coaxes similar complexity from the allium, caramelizing shallots is a little different than caramelizing onions. To prevent the shallots from burning and becoming bitter as they cook, aim to deglaze them with water as soon as they reach a light golden-brown color rather than awaiting the rich, dark brown spots you’d aim for when caramelizing onions. Keep the gravy rustic and serve it as is, or go smooth and blend until creamy. Perfect for party planning, this gravy will last up to 5 days in the fridge.
Smoky Spiced Eggplant Dip
Any Romanian gathering or celebration will inevitably contain an eggplant dish, the most common ones being salată de vinete (eggplant salad — a charred eggplant dip that’s similar to baba ghanouj but uses mayonnaise instead of tahini) and zacuscă (a charred eggplant and pepper dip, similar to ajvar). This family recipe, adapted from “Pass the Plate” by Carolina Gelen (Clarkson Potter, 2024), falls somewhere between the two: The charred eggplant is sweetened with shallots, brightened with tomatoes and spiced with paprika and cumin (sometimes caraway). It’s not as heavy as the mayonnaise-laced dip and not as labor-intensive as zacuscă, making it a faster, lighter alternative to whip up on any occasion. Get ready for one of the most inviting smells you will experience in the kitchen.
Pumpkin Dumplings With Brown Butter and Parmesan
For the cozy fall days when a half-empty can of pumpkin purée is a common occurrence in the kitchen, it’s worth noting that you’re always a few steps away from enjoying homemade dumplings for dinner. Reminiscent of spaetzle, gnudi or galuska, this bright orange, freeform dumpling uses canned pumpkin purée for its foundation. Nutmeg adds an inviting warmth and savory Parmesan complements the sweetness of the pumpkin. There’s no kneading or resting involved in making this rustic dumpling. To shape the dumplings, simply scrape bits of batter directly in the salted water using a soup spoon. Tossed in thyme-infused brown butter, the dish promises simplicity with an elevated feel. Offset its richness with a salad with bite, like this bitter greens salad with lemon-mustard dressing, or this radish salad with Meyer lemon.
Lecsó (Paprika-Packed Pepper Stew)
This traditional Hungarian pepper stew recipe delivers a flavor-packed one-pot meal that’s perfect for any busy weeknight. Every family has their own version, but at its root, lecsó is a paprika-spiced stew with melting onions, peppers and tomatoes. The vegetables are simmered together until saucy, jammy and glossy; the sweetness of the onions and peppers is offset by tomatoes, making this an irresistibly balanced dish that is light but satisfying. Hungarian peppers would be ideal. Typically enjoyed at their yellow stage, they are sweet and savory with a mild heat level. Red bell peppers are more modest, with their predominantly sweet flavor, but make a delicious option for this recipe. The dish, adapted from “Pass the Plate” by Carolina Gelen (Clarkson Potter, 2024), is vegan as written, but you can use this foundational recipe to make it your own. Some people serve it with fried or scrambled eggs, some with sausage or other meats, some use animal fat to cook the vegetables. Each version will bring comfort and flavor to your table.
Zingy Sour Veggie Soup
In Romania, and many other European countries, fermenting cabbage at home during winter months is a common practice. As temperatures start dropping, massive bags of shaved cabbage start popping up across farmers’ markets. Home cooks bring them home to make sauerkraut, roughly massaging the cabbage with salt and starting the fermentation process in their kitchens. They later store their giant sauerkraut-filled barrels outside, on patios and balconies throughout winter. The sauerkraut-consumption comes in many forms, from sauerkraut-stuffed flatbreads, cabbage rolls and sautéed sauerkraut with various meats, to soups like ciorbă de varză acră, a sour cabbage soup. There are as many versions as you might imagine: Some use cream, and some use sausage or smoked meats, but this recipe, adapted from “Pass the Plate” by Carolina Gelen (Clarkson Potter, 2024), delivers a bowl of comfort using paprika-spiced vegetables. When cooking with sauerkraut brine, taste the broth as you go to ensure a balanced salt level. Serve your soup with crusty bread and sweet, jammy garlic.
Date and Honey Kugel
Sweetened with dates and honey, this caramel-scented noodle kugel will be the perfect addition to your Rosh Hashana menu. While many noodle kugels are typically made with sour cream and cottage cheese, this one uses cream cheese and milk in the custard for a creamy and rich result that can easily be made pareve, meaning it uses no meat or dairy products (see Tip). Toss the chewy noodles with the spiced date and honey custard and jammy chopped dates. Bake until the custard is just set and the noodles develop crispy edges. Serve cold, with a hefty drizzle of honey on top.
Apple Cider Chicken With Apples and Parsnips
In this skillet dinner, seared chicken cutlets are topped with stewed, melt-in-your-mouth, tart Granny Smith apples; earthy, nutty parsnips; and sweet apple cider. The apple cider is used to deglaze the pan, extracting maximum flavor from the seared chicken bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet. Serve with mashed potatoes, olive oil-fried bread or a simple green side salad. To bring more warmth to the dish, don’t hesitate to infuse spices into the simmering apple cider sauce, like cinnamon, black pepper, a dash of cardamom or nutmeg. Depending on the sweetness of the apple cider, you might prefer a little more acidity to brighten each bite, in which case a small splash of apple cider vinegar at the end would be welcome.
Marsala Chicken Meatballs
Chicken Marsala is an Italian American classic consisting of seared pounded chicken that’s smothered in a sweet-savory Marsala wine mushroom sauce. For more spoon-ability, this crowd-pleasing dinner replaces the thin cutlets with tender chicken meatballs, simmered in a similarly indulgent Marsala sauce. Ground chicken is very lean, so to ensure a perfectly moist bite, Marsala-soaked bread crumbs and extra-virgin olive oil are added to the meatball mixture. For a flavor-packed fond, take the time to brown the onions and mushrooms; the time spent will pay off. This recipe is dairy-free as written, but if you’d like to finish the dish with a few knobs of butter or a splash of heavy cream, the sauce will certainly accommodate the additional richness.