Old-Fashioned American Goulash
Goulash, a simple, one-pot supper much like the one that showed up on our table—hearty, familiar, and made from what was on hand.
Goulash, a simple, one-pot supper much like the one that showed up on our table—hearty, familiar, and made from what was on hand.
Somewhere between Old World stew and Italian-style baked pasta, American goulash found its permanent home on the American supper table. This casserole-style version, crowned with melted cheese and baked until bubbling around the edges, is the kind of meal that fed countless families after long workdays and school nights.
French fries have a way of disappointing when they don’t hold their crunch. You’ve had them—perfect when they hit the table, but soft and lifeless just minutes later. This method solves that problem.
This creamy, tangy dipping sauce is the perfect accompaniment for your French fries. It’s also great on hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, and just about anything that could use a little extra flavor—you may never go back to plain ketchup again.
Trying to cut back on fried foods but still want a good plate of fries. This oven-baked version delivers crisp, well-seasoned fries with a light interior—no deep fryer required.
Long before bacon and eggs settled into their place on the American breakfast table, the combination had already found a home in European kitchens. Quiche Lorraine, with its rich custard of eggs, cream, and bacon, is one of the best-known examples. It’s a reminder that what we think of as “our” breakfast has deeper roots—and that good ideas in the kitchen tend to travel well.
At some point, breakfast had to get out the door. What began as a sit-down meal made its way into paper wrappers and drive-thru windows. The bacon and egg sandwich is the natural evolution of the plate—same ingredients, same flavors, just built for a faster pace.
There was a time when bacon and eggs were not breakfast—they were simply food. But somewhere along the way, they became the American morning meal. This is the version most of us grew up with. Nothing fancy, nothing dressed up—just a hot skillet, a few good ingredients, and a way of starting the day that feels like it has always been there.
The fresh milk rested covered on the table allowing the cream to rise slowly to the top. It was then skimmed off, placed into a stoneware butter churn, where it was churned until soft yellow clumps gathered against the wooden dasher. The butter was scooped, washed, and saved in a bowl. The thin, slightly tangy, leftover liquid was traditional buttermilk grandma used for baking.
These biscuits trace back through my maternal grandmother, who learned to make them at her mother’s side—long before buttermilk came in cartons. In those days, it was the thin, fresh liquid left behind after churning butter, and it gave these biscuits a lightness and flavor that’s hard to forget.