Mary's Ways to Impress Without the Stress
With Mary’s step-by-step guidance, even beginner cooks can feel confident in the kitchen.
Episodes
See Episode GuideTastes of Tuscany
Memories of food are Mary Berg's favorite travel souvenir, and she commemorates a recent trip to Italy with tasty dishes inspired by Florence and Tuscany. Sweets are a must in every cuisine, so she makes Apple Raspberry Crostata -- a zesty, crisp apple-filled tart with rich short crust. For the main dishes, there's cheesy Mushroom Crespelle and a Reverse Sear Steak that pays homage to the Florentine variety. To jazz up any snack or salad, Mary shares her new favorite condiment: Pickled and Preserved Onions with toasted pine nuts and raisins.
The Plot Chickens
Mary Berg keeps chicken dinner fresh with recipes featuring her most-asked-for protein. Her zesty Chicken Gnocchi and Mushroom Skillet is a one-pan wonder, while the perfect amount of pepper in her Chicken Paprikash creates a punchy stew served over noodles. Then, Mary serves a new sheet pan staple with Roasted Chicken with Balsamic Onions and crumbled feta, meaning minimal dishes and maximum flavor!
Curd's the Word
While tofu is the most common meat substitute for the veg-heads out there, there's nothing common about Mary Berg's new takes on bean curd! She brings her sushi order to the home kitchen with Avocado and Cucumber Inari, while a Lemon Ginger Orzo Soup makes a great comfort food swap. Then, Mary takes it to the next level with Nashville Hot Tofu served up in a classic white bread sammy with pickles before using silken tofu as the base for Peanut Butter and Strawberry Mousse.
Pasta la Vista
Pasta has so much more potential than just noodles and sauce! Mary Berg's delicious pasta meals, starting with classic Spaghetti and Meatballs, keep it simple but amp up the flavor. She also makes Clam Linguine, Gnocchi Alla Vodka and Orzo Cacio E Pepe.
Mare of Cheesetown
Cheese is on the short list of Mary Berg's true loves, so it's time for another round of all-cheese-everything! She whips up a no-fuss pie with her savory Cheddar Squash Galette and brings some crunch with Phyllo Wrapped Fried Feta dunked in spicy honey. Then, Mary combines her Top 2 cheesiest dishes to create Croque Monsieur Mac 'N Cheese with stringy Gruyere and sharp Pecorino-Romano. Finally, she throws all the rules out the window for a foolproof Orange Cinnamon Basque Cheesecake, no crust required.
Curd's the Word
While tofu is the most common meat substitute for the veg-heads out there, there's nothing common about Mary Berg's new takes on bean curd! She brings her sushi order to the home kitchen with Avocado and Cucumber Inari, while a Lemon Ginger Orzo Soup makes a great comfort food swap. Then, Mary takes it to the next level with Nashville Hot Tofu served up in a classic white bread sammy with pickles before using silken tofu as the base for Peanut Butter and Strawberry Mousse.
Mashup Recipes
Mary Berg gets the best of both worlds with recipes that mash ideas together to create something wacky, fun and delicious. She conquers the dinner table with Caesar Salad Roast Chicken, complete with a crispy coating and creamy garlicky goodness. Next, she takes inspiration from a fever dream to create a Taco Meatball Skillet with classic taco spices and toppings. For dessert, Mary levels up cereal treats with Crinkle Cut Chip Marshmallow Squares and gets thrice the delight from Cannoli Croissant Pudding.
Picky Eaters
Mary Berg shares smart strategies and recipes to feed even the pickiest eaters. Her Crispy Chicken two ways satisfies everyone, and Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins are a sneaky treat. She also makes customizable Cottage Pie and homemade Ketchup.
Some Like It Hot
Mary Berg loves hot sauce, and she's got the collection of bottles to prove it. Mary spices it up with recipes that bring the heat, like her homemade Breakfast Flatbreads doused in jalapeño hot sauce and her Maple Sriracha Salmon that's coated in a deliciously sweet and spicy glaze. Then, Mary whips up some spicy pickled Caesar Beans to serve atop Canada's favorite cocktail. Finally, it's gotta be Tuesday somewhere for Mary's perfectly picante Pulled Buffalo Chicken Tacos.
Mashup Recipes
Mary Berg gets the best of both worlds with recipes that mash ideas together to create something wacky, fun and delicious. She conquers the dinner table with Caesar Salad Roast Chicken, complete with a crispy coating and creamy garlicky goodness. Next, she takes inspiration from a fever dream to create a Taco Meatball Skillet with classic taco spices and toppings. For dessert, Mary levels up cereal treats with Crinkle Cut Chip Marshmallow Squares and gets thrice the delight from Cannoli Croissant Pudding.
Relay Smart Cooking
Mary Berg works smarter, not harder with some kitchen relay meal prep that starts with a Tex-Mex Chicken skillet. While that one-pot meal is cooking, she throws some squash in the oven for her Pumpkin Walnut Cannelloni. This prep pulls double duty in pre-baking the components of her Seared Sausages with Veg and Polenta. The final stop in the kitchen relay combines all the remaining bits from the last three meals into a Leftover Sausage and Chicken Soup.
One-Pot Wonders
Mary Berg makes kitchen cleanup a breeze with four one-pot recipes that practically eliminate the mess. She pairs fish with cheese for Sheet Pan Cod, makes Coconut Daal and hearty Scalloped Potato Pork Stew and wraps up with Coconut Cherry Crumble Bars.
Comfort Food
Mary Berg shares the ultimate comfort foods that are the perfect recipe for indulging in your stretchy pants. She makes Tuna Noodle Casserole, complete with a crusty topping of crumbled potato chips, and Mini Panzerotti, palm-sized pockets of pizza goodness. Mary's Herby Chicken and Dumplings have fluffy herb-packed dumplings steamed right in the pot, and Ice Cream Tacos are served up in peanut butter-coated shells.
Cheese Please
If cheese was a food group, it would be Mary Berg's favorite. She pays homage to fromage with four recipes starring cheese, starting with Paneer Tikka and Cheesy French Toast. She also prepares Vegan Chili Cheese Dogs and finishes with Grilled Brie.
Braising the Steaks
Mary Berg loves a method that feels like kitchen magic to deliver tender, flavorful foods with minimal effort. Braising is the name of the game! She uses this start-high-and-simmer-low technique with a thick Braised Blade Steak and Butter Beans before customizing a cozy turkey dinner with Lemony Braised Turkey Thighs with Onions and Potatoes. Hearty veg is great for braising too, like Mary's garlicky Braised Cabbage with Crispy Topping or her Cheesy Braised Carrots and Leeks.
Let Them Eat Cake
Mary Berg shares three foolproof cake recipes to make sure your next celebration is a hit. Her S'mores Cupcakes have torched Swiss meringue, a Sheet Cake works for any occasion, and a stacked Crepe Cake with lemon curd is the perfect party centerpiece.
Braising the Steaks
Mary Berg loves a method that feels like kitchen magic to deliver tender, flavorful foods with minimal effort. Braising is the name of the game! She uses this start-high-and-simmer-low technique with a thick Braised Blade Steak and Butter Beans before customizing a cozy turkey dinner with Lemony Braised Turkey Thighs with Onions and Potatoes. Hearty veg is great for braising too, like Mary's garlicky Braised Cabbage with Crispy Topping or her Cheesy Braised Carrots and Leeks.
Mashup Recipes
Mary Berg gets the best of both worlds with recipes that mash ideas together to create something wacky, fun and delicious. She conquers the dinner table with Caesar Salad Roast Chicken, complete with a crispy coating and creamy garlicky goodness. Next, she takes inspiration from a fever dream to create a Taco Meatball Skillet with classic taco spices and toppings. For dessert, Mary levels up cereal treats with Crinkle Cut Chip Marshmallow Squares and gets thrice the delight from Cannoli Croissant Pudding.
An Unexpected Party
Last-minute guests equals no time to freak out and cancel, and Mary Berg's minimal effort menu will impress in a flash. Butter Baked Saltines with Dip are an easy app for when those guests come a-knockin', while her Potato and Lox Salad features all the classic bagel fixins'. For dinner, Mary serves zesty parmesan and panko-coated Crispy Chicken Thighs with Guest Greens. To finish the night off, she bakes a quick Puff Pastry Tart filled with nutty frangipane, stone fruits and berries to send her guests away with a happy tummy.
Get Ahead
Mary Berg shows how versatile meal planning can be with recipes that future-you will appreciate. She makes slice-and-bake Chocolate Pecan Cookies, freezer-friendly Crispy Salmon Fillets, White Bean Stew and Cheese Biscuits and Crispy Buffalo Chickpeas.
Meat Cute
Mary Berg shares three recipes that are easy on the grocery bill without sacrificing flavor. Lower-priced cuts of meat are now the star of the table with her Pork Chops au Poivre, served with a deliciously creamy peppercorn and brandy sauce. Then, Mary's mom, Myra, enters the kitchen to demonstrate one of her family favorites, Grilled Flank Steak. Plus, an economically massive turkey breast goes a long way in Mary's crispy and juicy Turkey Schnitzel with pickle-y slaw.
Throwback Desserts
Mary Berg makes desserts that stand the test of time and have a nod to nostalgia in every bite. She combines bananas and toffee for a Banoffee Pie that's piled high with whipped cream before layering a no-bake Neapolitan Icebox Cake with vanilla, strawberry and chocolate. Then, her deceptively simple Pineapple Upside-Down Cake decorates itself, and Mary remembers a recipe from her high school cooking class that's still an A+, Classic Custard Fruit Tart.
Life is a Fryway
Mary Berg is road trip ready with recipes that are snackable, packable and won't make a mess of your car. She feels like a queen with a Trio of Tea Sandwiches, including Curried Turkey and Apple, Herby Radish and Butter, and Smoked Salmon with Creamy Feta. Then, her Go-To Pasta Salad is always a must with quick-pickled onions, store-bought pesto and jarred tuna. Finally, Mary rounds out her "snackle box" with Edamame Dip, home-baked tortilla chips and Kitchen Sink Cookie Bars.
Relay Smart Cooking
Mary Berg works smarter, not harder with some kitchen relay meal prep that starts with a Tex-Mex Chicken skillet. While that one-pot meal is cooking, she throws some squash in the oven for her Pumpkin Walnut Cannelloni. This prep pulls double duty in pre-baking the components of her Seared Sausages with Veg and Polenta. The final stop in the kitchen relay combines all the remaining bits from the last three meals into a Leftover Sausage and Chicken Soup.