Kendra Vaculin
Contributor
Originally from the San Francisco East Bay, Kendra has worked in food media (Epicurious, Eater, Food52) and test kitchens (Blue Apron) across New York City since 2014, as a writer, recipe developer, food stylist, and producer. She was Bon Appétit's Test Kitchen Editor until 2025, where she thought a lot about what you should make for dinner, developing recipes for her monthly column Speedy Does It and overseeing the Dinner Is Served section of the print magazine. Outside of weeknight cooking, she loves back-pocket desserts, produce-centric picnic food, and stuff to make for a party. She likes ice cream more than vegetables, but it's much closer than you'd think.
Recipes
All-Purpose Vegetable Stock
The ideal starting point for soups, stews, risotto, and more—with a heavy hand of umami and deep, roasty flavors.
Recipes
Tempeh Bowls With Nut Butter Sauce
Using pre-peeled and cubed butternut squash and any nut butter of your choosing makes this bright and wholesome dinner a breeze to bring together.
Recipes
Cheesy Mushroom Galette
Umami lovers rejoice. This savory vegetarian mushroom galette recipe features mushrooms two ways: in a rich duxelles-style spread and scattered over the top.
Recipes
Harissa Sweet Potato Tarte Tatin
Make this spiced and savory take on the French classic as a dinner party side dish or weeknight vegetarian main.
Recipes
Lemon-Oregano Shrimp and Tiny Potatoes
This speedy weeknight dinner is anything but bland thanks to the flavorful combination of garlic, capers, fresh oregano, and lemon.
Cooking
Anything Chicken Can Do, Shrimp Can Do Faster
Like this weeknight winner with little potatoes and garlicky butter.
Cooking
For the Flakiest Pie Crust, a Little Gin Goes a Long Way
Yes, gin. Vodka works too, depending on your bar cart.
Recipes
Spice-Crusted Ham With Brown Sugar Glaze
A show-stopping, relatively hands-off main built for a dinner party or holiday meal.
Recipes
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.
Recipes
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.
Recipes
Boquerones With Green Olives and Orange
Transform preserved fish into a stunner of an entertaining appetizer with a handful of fridge and pantry staples.
Recipes
Pistachio-Sesame Cheese Ball
Boursin cheese’s shape practically begs to be turned into a nut-and-seed-coated, party-ready cheese ball.
Recipes
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.
Recipes
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.
Recipes
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.
Recipes
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.
Recipes
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.
Recipes
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.
Recipes
Rosemary-Sizzled Salami, Dates, and Pecans
Salty, crunchy, sweet, and meaty, this warm mix is a combination of party appetizer heavy hitters.
Recipes
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.