Jim Manning and I attended Ole Miss at the same time, but never met. It wasn’t until later that we crossed paths working for Houston’s Acute Catering and discovered that I’d briefly dated one of his roommates. Jim now heads his own business, Jim Manning Catered Affairs, and is one of Houston’s top caterers. This recipe is a lot of work, but it’s elegant and serves a huge crowd, and most of the labor can be done in advance. It’s a great option if you’re hosting a large-scale event. Otherwise, the recipe can be cut in half or even in quarters.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
Crispy tots topped with savory-sweet sauce, mayonnaise, furikake, scallion, and katsuobushi.
Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.
Tender, juicy chicken skewers are possible in the oven—especially when roasted alongside spiced chickpeas and finished with fresh tomatoes and salty feta.
An extra-silky filling (no water bath needed!) and a smooth sour cream topping make this the ultimate cheesecake.
You’ll want to put this creamy (but dairy-free) green sauce on everything and it’s particularly sublime under crispy-skinned salmon.