Ask Chef Dennis

Halloween is the perfect excuse to have a little fun in the kitchen, and our easy Get Batty Halloween Cupcakes are guaranteed to make everyone smile. Starting with a boxed Devil’s Food cake mix keeps the recipe simple, while colorful homemade buttercream, Oreo cookie wings, and candy eyes turn ordinary cupcakes into spooky treats perfect for parties, school events, or family movie night. Audio Player Halloween desserts should be just as much fun to make as they are to eat.

Rich, creamy custard, sweet toasted coconut, and a flaky, golden-brown pastry crust make my Coconut Custard Pie an irresistible dessert for any occasion. Toasting the coconut before adding it to the filling brings out its natural sweetness and gives the pie a deeper coconut flavor. Audio Player The secret to a good custard pie is getting the texture just right. The filling should be soft and creamy but firm enough to hold its shape when sliced.

There’s something special about a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup. Whether you’re warming up on a chilly evening, caring for someone who’s under the weather, or simply craving a comforting meal, this easy recipe delivers classic homemade flavor without spending hours in the kitchen. Audio Player Chicken noodle soup has long been one of America’s favorite comfort foods.

Don’t throw away that rotisserie chicken carcass just yet. With a few vegetables and a slow cooker, you can turn those leftover bones into rich, flavorful crockpot chicken bone broth that’s far better than anything you’ll find in a carton. It’s an easy way to stretch your grocery budget while filling your freezer with homemade goodness.

Our French 75 Cocktail recipe uses gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and Champagne. It’s crisp, bubbly, and refreshing, with just enough sweetness to balance the gin’s tart lemon and botanical notes. What I love about our French 75 Cocktail Recipe is how this simple combination of ingredients can make an elegant, restaurant-quality cocktail. The bright citrus and gin give it plenty of character, while the Champagne lightens everything up with a crisp, effervescent finish.

Country Fried Steak isn't complicated, but a few small details make the difference between a crisp, tender steak and one with breading sliding off into the skillet. The double dredge gives the steak its substantial crust, while the browned bits left in the skillet become the flavor foundation for the gravy. You don't need a Southern diner to make really good Country Fried Steak.

Our Southside Cocktail is a refreshing gin cocktail made with fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and mint. It's bright, citrusy, slightly sweet, and incredibly easy to make at home. If you enjoy a classic gin cocktail, you're going to love how the botanical flavors of the gin pair with fresh mint and tart lime juice. A quick shake with ice brings everything together, creating a crisp, well-balanced cocktail that's perfect for happy hour, dinner parties, or warm summer evenings.

If you’re looking for a dessert that doesn’t take a lot of work, our Peach Dump Cake is hard to beat. All you need are three ingredients and about five minutes of prep time. There's no mixing, no special equipment, and no complicated technique. Just layer everything in the baking dish and let the oven turn it into a warm, delicious peach dessert. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an easy weeknight dessert, or make it for potlucks, family gatherings, and holidays.

If you’re looking for a fun dessert that brings smiles to kids and adults alike, our Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes are just what you’re looking for. Made with Funfetti cake mix baked right inside ice cream cones and topped with fluffy homemade buttercream frosting, they look just like soft-serve ice cream without the melting mess. There’s something about Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes that takes me right back to childhood birthday parties.

Our Hamburger Steak Recipe with Onion Gravy makes the kind of old-fashioned comfort food that never goes out of style. Juicy seasoned beef patties are pan-seared until nicely browned, then finished in a rich, savory onion gravy that’s made right in the same skillet. Add mashed potatoes and a green vegetable, and you’ve got the kind of dinner everyone looks forward to.