Elena Rossi — Recipes

Italian-trained chef, food writer, and founder of MakeFood.Online. Elena spent a decade cooking in family-run trattorias across Tuscany and Sicily before launching MakeFood.Online to share rigorously tested, approachable recipes from every corner of the world.

73 recipes

  • Fluffy Berry Pancakes — Learn how to make the fluffiest berry pancakes from scratch in 25 minutes. Buttermilk batter, fresh berries, maple syrup — a weekend breakfast favorite.
  • Classic Carbonara — Master the art of classic Roman carbonara: silky egg-and-cheese sauce, crispy guanciale, and perfectly al dente spaghetti. Step-by-step with pro tips.
  • Spicy Chicken Tacos — Make street-style spicy chicken tacos in 35 minutes. Chipotle-marinated chicken, crunchy slaw, and creamy avocado crema on charred tortillas.
  • Green Power Smoothie Bowl — Whip up this vibrant green smoothie bowl in 10 minutes. Spinach, banana, kiwi, and granola — a nutrient-packed breakfast that tastes like dessert.
  • Chicken Biryani — Step-by-step chicken biryani recipe with aromatic basmati rice, saffron, and perfectly spiced chicken. Dum-cooked for layered, fragrant perfection.
  • Chocolate Lava Cake — Bake perfect chocolate lava cakes in 29 minutes. Rich dark chocolate, a flowing molten center, and that perfect crack when you break through the shell.
  • Thai Green Curry — Make authentic Thai green curry at home in 35 minutes. Coconut milk, green curry paste, fresh basil, and your choice of protein. Better than takeout.
  • Salmon Poke Bowl — Build the perfect salmon poke bowl at home: sushi-grade salmon, seasoned rice, avocado, edamame, and sesame-soy dressing. Ready in 35 minutes.
  • Creamy Tuscan Chicken — Perfectly seared chicken breasts in a rich garlic, sun-dried tomato, and spinach cream sauce. A restaurant-quality dinner ready in 30 minutes.
  • Classic Beef Stroganoff — Tender strips of beef and mushrooms in a rich, creamy Stroganoff sauce served over egg noodles. Comfort food at its finest.
  • Vegetarian Mushroom Risotto — A rich, creamy, and deeply flavorful mushroom risotto made with Arborio rice, fresh thyme, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a cozy dinner.
  • Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa — Zesty, spicy pan-seared shrimp tucked into warm tortillas and topped with a bright, sweet, and tangy fresh mango salsa. Ready in just 20 minutes.
  • Double Chocolate Fudge Brownies — The ultimate fudgy chocolate brownie recipe. Intensely chocolatey, thick, chewy, with that signature crinkly, papery top. Better than box mix.
  • Authentic Pad Thai — Master the art of authentic pad thai with this foolproof recipe. Tender rice noodles, juicy shrimp, crunchy peanuts, and the perfect sweet-sour-salty tamarind sauce in just 30 minutes.
  • Roasted Tomato Basil Soup — This roasted tomato basil soup is liquid velvet. Fire-roasted tomatoes, fresh basil, and a touch of cream blend into the most comforting bowl you'll ever taste.
  • Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon — Restaurant-quality lemon garlic butter salmon that's ready in 20 minutes. Perfectly flaky, impossibly tender, with a golden butter sauce you'll want to drink.
  • Classic Weekend French Toast — The ultimate French toast recipe with a rich custard soak and golden, crispy edges. Thick-cut brioche, vanilla bean, and a hint of cinnamon make this breakfast unforgettable.
  • Spicy Black Bean Burgers — These spicy black bean burgers are smoky, crispy, and packed with flavor. They hold together perfectly on the grill or in a skillet and satisfy even dedicated meat-eaters.
  • Mediterranean Quinoa Protein Bowl — A vibrant Mediterranean quinoa bowl loaded with chickpeas, feta, olives, and a zesty lemon-herb dressing. 30g protein per bowl and perfect for meal prep.
  • Gooey Homemade Cinnamon Rolls — Soft, pillowy cinnamon rolls with a gooey cinnamon-brown sugar filling and cream cheese frosting. This tested recipe produces bakery-quality results every time.
  • Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings — These crispy baked buffalo wings rival any deep-fried version. The baking powder trick creates shatteringly crispy skin without a single drop of oil.
  • Spinach & Feta Stuffed Chicken — Juicy chicken breasts stuffed with a savory spinach and feta filling. Golden on the outside, creamy on the inside — a restaurant-quality dinner in 35 minutes.
  • Award-Winning Traditional Beef Chili — This rich, hearty beef chili simmers low and slow with real dried chiles, tender chunks of beef, and layers of smoky spice. A true chili cook-off champion.
  • Vietnamese Chicken Pho (Pho Ga) — Authentic Vietnamese chicken pho with a deeply aromatic broth, tender poached chicken, and fresh herbs. This pho ga recipe brings the pho shop experience home.
  • Crispy Garlic Parmesan Potatoes — Golden, crispy roasted potatoes tossed with garlic and parmesan. These addictive potatoes have crunchy edges and fluffy centers — the ultimate side dish.
  • Classic Eggs Benedict with Hollandaise — Master eggs benedict at home with perfectly poached eggs, crispy Canadian bacon, and a foolproof silky hollandaise sauce. Brunch perfection in 30 minutes.
  • Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork — Set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker pulled pork that's impossibly tender and drenched in smoky BBQ sauce. 10 minutes of prep, 8 hours of hands-off cooking magic.
  • Fresh Summer Strawberry Shortcake — Classic strawberry shortcake with buttery, flaky biscuits, macerated strawberries, and clouds of fresh whipped cream. The quintessential summer dessert.
  • Nourishing Vegan Buddha Bowl — A nourishing vegan buddha bowl with roasted sweet potato, crispy chickpeas, avocado, and creamy tahini dressing. Beautiful, balanced, and incredibly filling.
  • Classic Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo — Ultra-creamy chicken fettuccine Alfredo made from scratch with a real butter-parmesan sauce. No jar, no shortcuts — just pure, silky, indulgent pasta perfection.
  • Diner-Style Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes — These tall, fluffy buttermilk pancakes are exactly like the ones from your favorite diner. Golden on the outside, impossibly light on the inside, ready in 20 minutes.
  • Kung Pao Chicken — Make restaurant-quality Kung Pao Chicken at home in 30 minutes. Tender chicken, crunchy peanuts, dried chilies, and a glossy sweet-spicy sauce. Authentic Sichuan recipe.
  • Butter Chicken — Make the creamiest, most aromatic butter chicken from scratch in 1 hour. Tender tandoor-style chicken, rich tomato-cream sauce, warming spices. Better than any restaurant.
  • Masala Chai from Scratch — Make authentic masala chai from scratch in 15 minutes. Whole spices, strong black tea, and creamy milk simmered together. Better than any café chai latte.
  • Shakshuka — Make shakshuka from scratch in 25 minutes. Perfectly poached eggs in a rich, spiced tomato-pepper sauce. Vegan-adaptable, one-pan, and endlessly satisfying.
  • Homemade Hummus from Scratch — Make the creamiest hummus of your life from scratch in 10 minutes. The secret tricks for impossibly smooth, light texture revealed. Vegan, gluten-free, endlessly versatile.
  • Overnight Oats — Master overnight oats in 5 minutes. The formula, the ratios, five flavor variations, and every topping idea you'll ever need. No cooking, no morning stress.
  • Healthy Lemon Herb Baked Salmon — An incredibly easy and healthy baked salmon recipe infused with fresh lemon, garlic, and herbs. Flaky, tender, and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
  • Ultimate Classic Beef Burgers — Learn how to make the ultimate classic beef burgers at home. Juicy, thick patties layered with melted cheese, fresh veggies, and a toasted brioche bun.
  • Creamy Vegetarian Mushroom Risotto — An elegant, comforting vegetarian mushroom risotto featuring Arborio rice, earthy mushrooms, white wine, and parmesan cheese.
  • Classic Chicken Tikka Masala — An incredibly flavorful, rich, and creamy Chicken Tikka Masala recipe. Tender marinated chicken pieces swimming in a deeply spiced tomato sauce.
  • Refreshing Mediterranean Greek Salad — An authentic, refreshing Greek Salad loaded with crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese. Perfect healthy lunch or side.
  • Decadent Molten Chocolate Lava Cake — An incredibly decadent chocolate lava cake that oozes liquid chocolate when you cut into it. Astonishingly easy to make for a fancy dessert at home.
  • Authentic Korean Bibimbap — Learn how to make authentic Korean bibimbap with perfectly seasoned vegetables, a crispy rice bottom, gochujang sauce, and a sunny-side-up egg. Restaurant quality at home.
  • Classic New York Cheesecake — The ultimate New York cheesecake: impossibly creamy, perfectly dense, with a buttery graham cracker crust. Our foolproof method prevents cracking every time.
  • Rich Tonkotsu Ramen — Make authentic Japanese tonkotsu ramen at home with a rich, milky pork bone broth, tender chashu, marinated soft-boiled eggs, and fresh toppings.
  • Vibrant Acai Smoothie Bowl — Create a stunning acai smoothie bowl that's thick, creamy, and loaded with fresh fruit, granola, and superfood toppings. A healthy breakfast that looks as good as it tastes.
  • Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops — Perfectly seared lamb chops with a fragrant rosemary-garlic herb crust. An elegant dinner that's surprisingly simple — ready in just 25 minutes.
  • Classic Italian Caprese Salad — The perfect caprese salad with buffalo mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and a balsamic glaze. Simple, elegant, and ready in 5 minutes.
  • Crispy Baja Fish Tacos — Crispy beer-battered fish tacos with tangy cabbage slaw and chipotle crema. These Baja-style tacos bring the beach to your kitchen in 30 minutes.
  • Perfect Sunday Roast Chicken — Master the perfect roast chicken with ultra-crispy golden skin and incredibly juicy meat. This simple method produces the best roast chicken you've ever made.
  • Banana Walnut Pancakes — Fluffy banana walnut pancakes that are naturally sweet with caramelized banana pieces and toasted walnuts. The perfect cozy weekend breakfast.
  • Thai Mango Sticky Rice — Authentic Thai mango sticky rice (khao niao mamuang) with sweet coconut sticky rice, perfectly ripe mango, and rich coconut cream sauce. A heavenly dessert.
  • Classic Greek Moussaka — Make traditional Greek moussaka with silky eggplant layers, spiced lamb ragù, and a golden béchamel crust. A Mediterranean comfort food masterpiece.
  • Chicken Tikka Masala — Restaurant-quality chicken tikka masala with tender yogurt-marinated chicken in a luscious tomato-cream sauce. Better than takeout, ready in under an hour.
  • Argentine Beef Empanadas — Golden, flaky beef empanadas filled with seasoned ground beef, olives, and hard-boiled eggs. A beloved Argentine street food you can make at home.
  • Crispy Falafel Plate — Make crispy, bright green falafel from scratch using dried chickpeas, fresh herbs, and spices. Served with tahini sauce, pita, and pickled vegetables.
  • Classic Peruvian Ceviche — Make traditional Peruvian ceviche with fresh white fish 'cooked' in tiger's milk (leche de tigre). Bright, citrusy, and ready in 15 minutes.
  • Restaurant-Style Palak Paneer — Rich and vibrant palak paneer with velvety spinach sauce and golden pan-fried paneer cubes. A beloved North Indian vegetarian classic.
  • Spanish Seafood Paella — A stunning Spanish seafood paella with shrimp, mussels, clams, saffron rice, and the coveted socarrat crust. Feeds a crowd, impresses everyone.
  • Chicken Enchiladas Verdes — Corn tortillas stuffed with shredded chicken, smothered in tangy tomatillo green sauce and melted cheese. Authentic Mexican comfort food at its finest.
  • Brazilian Açaí na Tigela — Make a real Brazilian açaí na tigela — thick, frozen, and topped with granola, banana, and honey. The authentic way they serve it in Rio de Janeiro.
  • Grilled Lamb Kofta Kebabs — Juicy, spiced lamb kofta kebabs grilled to perfection and served with cool tzatziki, warm flatbread, and a fresh herb salad. Mediterranean street food at home.
  • Japanese Chicken Katsu Curry — Learn how to make authentic Japanese chicken katsu curry with a shatteringly crispy panko crust and silky homemade curry sauce. A comforting weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
  • Miso Glazed Salmon — This miso glazed salmon recipe features a sweet-savory white miso marinade that caramelizes into a stunning glaze under the broiler. Ready in 25 minutes with just 5 ingredients.
  • Korean Beef Bulgogi — Make authentic Korean beef bulgogi at home with this tested recipe. Thinly sliced beef marinated in a sweet soy-pear sauce, grilled to smoky perfection. Includes lettuce wrap tips.
  • Korean Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew) — This kimchi jjigae recipe uses well-fermented kimchi and pork belly to create the ultimate Korean comfort stew. Bubbling, spicy, and deeply satisfying in 30 minutes.
  • Korean Japchae (Glass Noodle Stir-Fry) — Learn to make Korean japchae — sweet potato glass noodles stir-fried with colorful vegetables, beef, and a sweet soy-sesame sauce. A stunning party dish ready in 40 minutes.
  • Middle Eastern Chicken Shawarma Plate — Make restaurant-quality chicken shawarma at home with this spice-loaded marinade and oven-roasting method. Served with garlic sauce, pickles, and warm pita for the ultimate plate.
  • Smoky Baba Ganoush — Make authentic baba ganoush with fire-roasted eggplant, tahini, lemon, and garlic. This smoky, creamy Middle Eastern dip is naturally vegan and ready in 30 minutes.
  • Osaka-Style Okonomiyaki (Japanese Savory Pancake) — Make authentic Osaka-style okonomiyaki at home — a savory Japanese cabbage pancake loaded with toppings like mayo, bonito flakes, and tangy sauce. Fun, customizable, and delicious.
  • Korean Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes) — Make authentic Korean tteokbokki — chewy rice cakes in a fiery-sweet gochujang sauce with fish cakes and boiled eggs. Korea's most iconic street food in 20 minutes.
  • Jordanian Lamb Mansaf — Cook the national dish of Jordan — mansaf — at home with this authentic recipe. Tender braised lamb over saffron rice with tangy jameed yogurt sauce, topped with toasted nuts.