How To Feed the People You Love This Holiday Season

There are three kinds of people when it comes to hosting. Those who welcome guests into chaos—piles of shoes by the entryway, dirty dishes in the sink, and a fridge full of only leftovers. Those who write the menu on a clipboard and dust the baseboards before guests arrive. And those who are allergic to the word “entertaining,” but love having people over for dinner, and serving whatever was already in the works.

It doesn’t matter where you fall on this spectrum. It’s always more stressful when hosting during the holidays because there’s already so much going on in our lives. That’s why Simply Recipes asked three of our favorite cookbook authors for their low-stress, high-satisfaction recipes and tips that make it easier to invite people over.

I hope you get to have an impromptu Sunday meal with lots of family and friends or a casual weeknight dinner with your favorite neighbors. No matter the occasion, who’s at the table, or what you eat, you’re doing right by those you care about because feeding people is the ultimate expression of love. And with these recipes and tips, it’ll be less stressful and more fun.

Read the story: The Queen of No-Frills Recipes Recommends Fabric Napkins and Better Than Bouillon

“I want to be BFF with Julia Turshen,” confessed General Manager Emma Christensen after reviewing the stories and recipes from Julia for this feature. It’s the kind of pull the bestselling cookbook author has—warmth and wit come through in her words and food. Here are three recipes that prove just that, plus one pantry staple she can’t get through the holidays without.

Get Julia’s Recipe: Tomato, White Bean, and Fennel Stew

“If I go to someone’s house and they give me a bowl of soup, I feel very cared for. I like to extend that feeling … When you walk into someone’s house, and there’s a pot of soup on the stove that’s already simmering, it makes a big difference in how your guest feels.”

Get Julia’s Recipe: Chickpea and Spinach Rice

“It uses a can of chickpeas and frozen spinach, and it’s so good and comforting. You can serve it as your meal, or you could serve it with vegetables, a salad, or with chicken. It’s affordable, nutritious, has no fancy ingredients, and is quick and easy.”

Get Julia’s Recipe: A Great Carrot Salad

“I adore carrots. They keep for so long in the fridge, they’re inexpensive, and they can go in just about any dish. And because they’re so familiar, I think they have a great capacity to surprise you when you treat them with a little elegance.”

Read the story: Dan Pelosi Will Move His Ceramic Teddy Bear Collection For You—Just Don’t Bring Food

During the most wonderful yet anxiety-producing time of year, Dan Pelosi sticks to the basics: pantry staples and comfort foods. “I only cook recipes made with things that I can get at the grocery store,” he reveals. This isn’t the time to razzle dazzle with ingredients you can’t pronounce and cooking techniques you have to Google. These three recipes are easy enough to feed your family on the busiest weeknights, and impressive enough to whip up for guests.

Get Dan’s Recipe: Whole-Roasted Eggplant with Chili Crisp

“The creamy, dreamy insides … I will honestly never recover from that first bite. To improve on the real-life fantasy, a little Greek yogurt and chili crisp enhance all the already-beautiful texture and flavor of the veg. A great payoff for very little work!”

Get Dan’s Recipe: Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

“For all my fellow pantry queens out there, I’m happy to present the original pantry meal. Everyone loves spaghetti, olive oil, garlic … It’s nice to celebrate these [simple] dishes—people think it’s not something you would serve to a crowd, but it is. It’s pure comfort.”

Get Dan’s Recipe: Chicken Marsala

“Chicken Marsala is one of those rare dishes that feels like a restaurant experience without the restaurant kitchen effort. It’s a surprisingly quick and easy process—all in one skillet! It is easy to reheat. You could make it and let it sit, and then quickly bring it back to temp and put it on the platter.”

Read the Story: For Abi Balingit, It’s Not a Party Without Dessert

Things dessert will always do: warm hearts, give kids the wiggles, inspire conversation, encourage sharing, and disappear, leaving only delicious memories. Abi Balingit knows all about the magic that desserts can spark and has a James Beard Award-winning cookbook to prove it. She shares the perfect kitchen staple to have on hand for friends who pop by, and these three easy and impressive dessert recipes.

Get Abi’s Recipe: Ube Skillet Crinkle Cookie

“[This recipe] was heavily inspired by the Pizookie at BJ’s. Baked ube crinkle dough makes for an ideal skillet cookie with its chewy center and crisp edges. I also like doubling up on the ube flavor by piling ube ice cream on top of the cookie—Magnolia brand preferred.”

Get Abi’s Recipe: Adobo Chocolate Chip Cookies

“The flavors of the Adobo Chocolate Chip Cookies are exciting. You get intense flavors with the spiciness from the pink peppercorn and the notes of dark chocolate and bay leaf. I opted for pink peppercorns specifically since they’re less harsh on the tongue. It’s fun and very adult.”

Get Abi’s Recipe: Toasted Pinipig Marshmallow Treats

“[These treats] are probably the easiest dessert to make because you don’t have to bake anything. There’s no need for an oven. There’s a crunchy element and chewiness. Plus, it’s sweet and salty. It’s easy to share—you just split it up into bars.”