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3 Ways to Cook the Same Dinner and Make It Taste Totally Different

Recently, we asked our cooking idol Padma Lakshmi if she could share any brilliant cooking advice. We loved her answer: “Try to understand spices—it can truly revolutionize your cooking.”

In fact, she’ll often cook lean protein, brown rice and vegetables and simply change the spices for completely different results. Sumac, za’atar and Urfa chile are some of her favorites.

Challenge accepted, Padma. Below, three ways to cook the same chicken so it tastes completely different. 

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one pan sumac chicken recipe
Cooking SL

One-pan Sumac Chicken

A pinch of this Middle Eastern spice adds bright, tangy flavor and a beautiful pop of red color.

za atar roasted chicken recipe
The Mediterranean Dish

Za'atar Roasted Chicken

This eastern Mediterranean spice blend is a sprinkle of earthy, nutty, toasty culinary magic.

one skillet chile pepper chicken recipe 921
Beauty and the Foodie

One Skillet Chile Pepper Chicken

If you can get your hands on Urfa pepper, go for it: the Turkish chile lends a complex salty, sweet, smoky and sour flavor.



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Food Editor

From 2017 to 2019 Heath Goldman held the role of Food Editor covering food, booze and some recipe development, too. Tough job, eh?