If you are stuck with a bag or can of pinto beans and don't know what to do with them, all you need is a few spicy ingredients to make a whole meal you'll want to eat on repeat. Upgrading pinto beans like this is a great skill to build, because while it may seem silly to say, beans are having a moment.
Baked potatoes can be a lot of fun once you branch beyond the usual sour cream and chopped chives additions. The moment you start experimenting with other unexpected baked potato toppings, you will discover all the different facets that this seemingly ordinary side dish has been hiding all along. It can be bold. It can be exciting. It can have an acidic edge that feels utterly thrilling on the taste buds, which is only achieved when you bring pickled red onions into the picture.
After some additional pondering with my husband, here's how we'll be serving this at our family's Thanksgiving this year: As a mini mac 'n' cheese bar so everyone can dress up their plate however they like.
The simplicity of this choice might come as a surprise (as would the fact that it's not cheese), but chives' versatility and tastiness are a winning combination. You can add them to loaded seafood baked potatoes or hot potatoes with chili and the flavor still works. Chives are similar to scallions or green onions, but they have a milder taste that makes them more like an herb and less like their pungent relatives in the allium family - which includes onions and garlic.
The warmed apple chunks, spiced notes, and buttery crust of an apple pie make it a comforting dessert to eat all year long. It feels humble and soothing, but it tastes delicious and isn't too difficult to whip up, which makes it an approachable treat to bake no matter what season. It's a familiar favorite pie (especially if you're working with a recipe passed down from generations prior), but you can also find ways to make it feel fun and fresh.
Fluffy, delicious, and making plenty of room to add your choice of wholesome toppings, baked potatoes are an excellent side dish that can be prepared a number of different ways. Between the oven, microwave, air fryer, and more, there are many ways to bake a potato - and even more ways to spruce them up with your favorite ingredients. Chili is a winter staple that's sure to provide even more delicious and nutritious value to bulk up your baked potatoes in the cooler months.
When we think of Southern cuisine, we usually associate it with comfort foods. This is certainly the case for Southern biscuits. Many Southern meals wouldn't be complete without a side of them. They're a fun conversation piece, as each person or household has their preferred method of making them. Some use buttermilk, while others are staunch believers in lard, and a few will prefer round over square.
When you're racing out the door in the morning, easy breakfast options can be the hack to set you up for an energetic day. Even Ina Garten's daily ritual involves slathering toast with fancy butter. For those of us looking for more convenient options, Uncrustables are at the ready. "They are great for when I forget to eat, and I'm heading between work appointments," wrote one fan on Reddit.
Crumbled bacon is one of the best toppings for better chili for its natural smoky flavor and versatility. With so many different styles of bacon to choose from, this cured meat is the answer to enhancing a basic bowl of canned chili with even more complementary essence. No matter what brand of the canned stuff you're enjoying, there's a batch of crisped-up bacon that will make the ultimate pairing to it.
