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Kendra Vaculin head shot - Epicurious

Kendra Vaculin

Associate Food Editor

Originally from the San Francisco East Bay, Kendra has worked in food media (Eater, Food52) and test kitchens (Blue Apron) across New York City since 2014, as a writer, recipe developer, and producer. Since starting at Epi and Bon Appetit, she's started a weekly newsletter about what you should make for dinner tonight, written about cooking with weed, and developed recipes for the kinds of food she loves to eat (weeknight dinners, pantry pasta, party snacks). She likes ice cream more than vegetables, but it's much closer than you'd think.

Decorate Your Christmas Tree With Extremely Cute (Fake) Food

Who says avocado toast isn’t festive?

The Best Kitchen Stocking Stuffers

Skip the gift cards this year—these spicy, sweet, handy, and festive gifts are perfect for everyone left on your list.

Spice-Crusted Ham With Brown Sugar Glaze

A show-stopping, relatively hands-off main built for a dinner party or holiday meal.

The Best Stockpot for All of Your Big Boiling Needs

We tested 7 highly rated stockpots to find the best all-around model and the top budget pick.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Club

Cranberry sauce, mustard, leftover sliced turkey, a few pieces of bacon (never hurt!), and three pieces of bread make this sandwich a post-holiday slam dunk.

The Best Gifts for Your Adult Siblings

Because sibling rivalry should be all about who scored the better present.

Spiced Egg Crepe for One

Level up your solo dinner game with this dead simple, spice-packed glorified omelet for one—just don’t forget the ketchup.

Za’atar Fire Crackers

In this twist on a Southern classic, saltine crackers take a bath in oil and tangy za’atar to become golden, glossy, extra-crunchy party starters.

Fried Chicken With Cranberry-Mustard Sauce

Free up your oven and make the case for crispy, crunchy, sage and thyme-y fried chicken this Thanksgiving.

Make-Ahead Sausage and Caramelized Onion Stuffing

Free up space in your oven on Thanksgiving for other heavy hitters by assembling and baking this stuffing the day before.

Old Bay Chips With Lemon Mayo

Gussied up store-bought potato chips and mayonnaise brings your average chips and dip to the next level—and with very little effort.

Sheet-Pan Meatballs With Burst Tomatoes and Parmesan Toast

Oven-roasted cherry tomatoes are the star of this easy sheet-pan dinner featuring herb-studded meatballs and cheesy, garlicky toast.

Boquerones With Green Olives and Orange

Transform preserved fish into a stunner of an entertaining appetizer with a handful of fridge and pantry staples.

Rosemary-Sizzled Salami, Dates, and Pecans

Salty, crunchy, sweet, and meaty, this warm mix is a combination of party appetizer heavy hitters.

Pistachio-Sesame Cheese Ball

Boursin cheese’s shape practically begs to be turned into a nut-and-seed-coated, party-ready cheese ball.

Marinated Mozzarella and Peppadew Peppers

Make this easy recipe for Marinated mozzarella balls at the last minute or up to two days in advance. It’s the perfect appetizer to pair with an antipasto platter or charcuterie board.

Cheesy Dutch Baby

Thick and eggy with a browned cheesy top, this puffed pancake (as well as the dressing for the arugula salad on top) comes together entirely in the blender.

Sweet Potato Pie With Marshmallow Whipped Cream

Amplify the standard Thanksgiving sweet potato pie recipe with fresh ginger, a trio of spices, and the coups de grâce: marshmallow-spiked whipped cream.

Spicy Sausage Patty Melt

Any ground meat can be a patty melt if it dreams big enough. This twist on the diner classic touts spiced chorizo, pickled jalapeños, and creamy Oaxaca cheese.

Pork Chops With Frisée-Apple Salad

The classic pairing of pork and apples, reimagined as a weeknight meal. A salad packed with sliced apples and pickled chiles balances simple, saucy pork chops.