Saturday, March 2, 2024

A Brief Brownie Update, A New Food Podcast + 7 Salads for Dinner

Friends, hello.

After posting last week's brownie update, I received a few emails and comments about the pan, the common sentiment being: Do I really need to buy another pan?

Since having shiny-topped brownie success with the aluminum Fat Daddio pan, I have not experimented with other pans, but some of you have. One of you — hey Brian πŸ‘‹ — sent me the above- and below-pictured photos of the brownies made in an 8-inch USA pan (made of steel), a pan I love and have used for brownies in the past, but not with the updated method.

Brian's brownies look perfect! I hope this may inspire you to try the updated recipe with a pan you already have on hand πŸ‘πŸ‘

PS: Have you listened to The Recipe with Deb Perelman and J. Kenji Lopez-Alt yet? The first episode, about Stovetop Mac n' Cheese, aired last week, and it was such a fun listen. Deb and Kenji — no surprise! — are great together, and I am so intrigued by Kenji's 3-ingredient recipe. I bought the ingredients but have yet to make it. Will report back when I do!


After learning about the high levels of lead in my favorite cocoa powders, I ordered a few others, all suggestions from you — thank you! Now I have my work cut out for me. I'll be revisiting the brownies, of course, and a few of my favorite chocolate cakes:

Two More Chocolate Cakes to Try

Beatty's Chocolate Cake via Ina Garten

Gourmet's Double Chocolate Cake


A Simple, Perfect Pizza Night Salad

In Friday's pizza newsletter, I wrote about a salad inspired by one served at Eataly's La Pizza and La Pasta. It takes no time to throw together, and it is a perfect pizza night companion. Get the recipe here:


What I'm Craving: Salad For Dinner

I find this time of the year to be the least inspirational from a culinary perspective — I'm tired of roasting everything and craving freshness. In these bleak times, salad for dinner to the rescue!

Charred Broccoli Chopped Salad

Hetty McKinnon's Sushi Salad

Chopped Thai Satay Salad

Charred Broccoli with Almonds, Dates & Cheddar

Kale and Quinoa Salad

Cauliflower Couscous with Almonds and Herbs

Deli-Style Pasta Salad


Thank You

Thank you to all who have already pre-ordered my new cookbook, Pizza Night. You've likely heard this before, but pre-orders are so important — they signal to bookshops and other retailers that there's excitement about this book, which in turn encourages them to stock their shelves with it.

If you are new here, Pizza Night will be published on April 16th and includes 52 pizza and 52 salad recipes, one combination for every week of the year, as well as five simple desserts.


5 Free Resources Available to You

Happy Cooking,


Alexandra Stafford



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