Cousin Mike’s Crispy Chicken Parmesan

Quick Answer: The secret to crispy chicken parmesan that isn’t soggy is to fry the breaded cutlets deep golden first, then keep the sauce off...

Cousin Mike’s Homemade Marinara Sauce

Quick Answer: The secret to homemade marinara that tastes slow-simmered in 30 minutes is hand-crushed whole San Marzano tomatoes and a spoonful of butter stirred...

Cousin Mike’s Homemade Garlic Bread

Quick Answer: The secret to homemade garlic bread that isn’t bitter or soggy is to cook the minced garlic gently in butter before it touches...

Cousin Mike’s Tender Italian Meatballs

Quick Answer: The secret to tender Italian meatballs is a panade (bread soaked in milk) instead of dry breadcrumbs, mixed gently and finished in sauce....

Cousin Mike’s Creamy Coleslaw

Quick answer: The reason most homemade coleslaw turns into a watery, sad puddle an hour after you make it is that raw cabbage is full...

Cousin Mike’s Oven Pulled Pork

Quick answer: You don’t need a smoker for real pulled pork. A low 300°F oven does the exact same low-and-slow work a smoker does, and...

Grandma’s Skillet Cornbread

Every family has that one cornbread, and this is ours. Grandma made it in the same cast-iron skillet for fifty years, and the secret was...