Let's talk about one of life's greatest joys—cooking up a storm and sharing it with the people we love. There's nothing quite like the warmth and connection that comes from breaking bread together. Sure, we all have those go-to recipes that our friends rave about, but there's something extra magical about pulling off a themed dinner. As the pros at America's Test Kitchen like to say, "The best meals are the ones where you put in just enough effort to create something unforgettable, but not so much that you dread doing it again." That's why their latest cookbook, Gatherings, is packed with menus that are both easy to prepare and absolutely bursting with flavor. Take this pork-centric feast, for instance—it’s a real crowd-pleaser. Whether you dive into it tonight or adapt it to suit your preferences, it's a recipe for a night to remember!
Piggy Peppers: A Flavorful Kick to Start Your Meal
(Serves 4)
Here’s what you’ll need: 5 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, divided; 1 1/2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon of table salt, also divided; 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika; and a dash of cayenne for that little kick. You'll also want a can of chickpeas, three red bell peppers, some thinly sliced capicola, shaved Parmesan cheese, toasted hazelnuts, golden raisins, and fresh parsley for a pop of color.
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Now, here's how it all comes together. First, you'll want to whisk together a quarter cup of that olive oil with the lemon juice, half a teaspoon of salt, the smoked paprika, and the cayenne. Once that’s all blended, toss in the chickpeas to coat them evenly. Next, heat the remaining oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, and throw in those sliced peppers along with the remaining salt. Cook them until they’re soft and slightly charred, which should take about 8 minutes. Once they're done, transfer them to the bowl with the chickpeas and let the whole mixture sit for half an hour to meld the flavors. Just before serving, add in the capicola, Parmesan, hazelnuts, raisins, and parsley, give it all a good toss, and you're ready to serve!
PER SERVING: 456 calories, 19 grams protein, 40 grams carbs, 7 grams fiber, 10 grams sugar, 27 grams fat.
Crispy, Spicy Swineapple Ribs: A Main Dish That’s Sure to Impress
(Serves 6)
To make these ribs, you’ll need pineapple juice, water, soy sauce, ketchup, sugar, fish sauce, two racks of baby back ribs, vegetable oil, jalapeños, garlic, ginger, cornstarch, flour, and salt. Sounds like a party on a plate, right?
Here’s how it goes. First, preheat your oven to 325°F. In a Dutch oven, whisk together 2 1/2 cups of pineapple juice, water, soy sauce, ketchup, sugar, and fish sauce. Once that’s all combined, add in the ribs. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover it, and pop it in the oven for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. When the ribs are tender, take them out and reserve 2 cups of the cooking liquid. Heat up some oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, and toss in those sliced jalapeños, minced garlic, and ginger. Cook that up for about 30 seconds, then add the reserved liquid and let it boil for 5 minutes. Now, whisk together the remaining pineapple juice and cornstarch, pour it into the sauce, and let it boil for another 2 minutes. Once the sauce is thickened, turn off the heat.
Next, mix together the flour, salt, and cornstarch in a shallow dish. Cut the ribs into individual pieces, toss them in the flour mixture, and fry them in hot oil until they're golden brown. Once they're done, toss them in the sauce, and you're ready to serve!
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PER SERVING: 671 calories, 27 grams protein, 48 grams carbs, 1 gram fiber, 24 grams sugar, 41 grams fat.
Sticky Sweet Sow Bars: The Perfect Dessert to End Your Feast
(Makes 24)
For these decadent bars, you’ll need flour, salt, baking powder, melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, corn syrup, vanilla, milk chocolate chips, bacon, chopped cashews, a can of dulce de leche, and a bit of water.
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with foil, spray it with cooking spray, and set it aside. In one bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. In another, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, corn syrup, and vanilla until they're all combined. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, and fold in the chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake it for 35 to 40 minutes, or until it's golden brown. Let it cool on a wire rack.
While the bars are cooling, cook the bacon in a skillet with a little water until it’s crispy. Chop it up once it’s done. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the bacon, dulce de leche, and water. Microwave it for 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until it’s smooth. Pour this mixture over the cooled bars, let it set for a couple of hours, and then cut it into 24 delicious squares. Serve and enjoy!
PER SERVING: 283 calories, 6 grams protein, 39 grams carbs, 1 gram fiber, 23 grams sugar, 12 grams fat.
