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.
Desk Lunch
Whether at home or the office, Mary Berg's lunch recipes guarantee flavor and convenience. She starts with make-ahead Soba Noodle Cold Rolls, savors a Roasted Mushroom Flatbread, piles up an Herby Tahini Grain Bowl and snacks on Rocky Road Granola Bars.
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.
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.
Fake It 'Til You Bake It
Whether you're a newbie baker or a pro who wants to take it easy, Mary Berg has recipe hacks to raise your baking game. Mary's Chocolate Chip Cookie Cupcakes feature a sneaky surprise center thanks to a roll of cookie dough from the refrigerator aisle, and store-bought pie crust is the perfect texture for Blondie Pie with apricot jam filling. Hummingbird Cake is an impressive dessert that tastes as if carrot cake and banana bread had a baby. Mary jazzes it up with canned pineapple, cream cheese peanut butter frosting and crunchy Peanut Butter Feuilletine-like topping made from breakfast cereal.
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.
Date Night
Mary Berg settles date night nerves by serving up recipes sure to impress a special guest while keeping cool in the kitchen. She starts with Pavlova for dessert and then makes Porcini Pasta and Steak Bourguignon, all in less than 30 minutes.
BBQ's and A's
Mary Berg brings the kitchen outside with recipes that demystify grilling. She starts with a Barbecue Chicken and Charred Savoy Cabbage, and then she whips up Herby Miso Grilled Salmon Kebabs and Sweet and Spicy Grilled Fruit Sangria.
Back to the BBQ
Mary Berg loves to cook outside and has recipes that take grill night to the next level. Brie and Pancetta Burgers are topped with chunky grilled red onion and gooey Brie cheese. For a vegetarian grill-friendly main, Mary's Grilled Soy Maple Mushrooms caramelize beautifully, and on the lighter side, Grilled Scallops with Minty Pea Salad are flavored with garlic, lemon and herbs on a peppery arugula base. Finally, Mary does some barbecue baking with decadent Cheese Stuffed Grilled Garlic Flatbreads.
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.
Made to Hors D'oeuvres
Mary Berg elevates classic party recipes to easily turn out a tray of handy hors d'oeuvres. She kicks up the standard shrimp ring with her Grilled Shrimp Cocktail, served with three dunkable dips for the spicy cocktail sauce fan, the milder herb aioli enthusiast and a crowd-pleasing mix of both. Mary pairs it with her bubbly cocktail, the Grown-Up Float, featuring frozen sorbet and sparkling wine. Rounding out the party platter is a couple of grab 'n go's made for mingling, including a Sausage Roll Wreath with homemade pork and pancetta and Charcuterie Board Popovers that turn a cheese board into pleasant parcels stuffed with meats and cornichons.
Uncanny Valley
Ingredients packed in cans and jars can be just as good as fresh ones. Mary Berg uses canned salmon in Salmon Burgers, canned pumpkin in Pumpkin Stuffed Shells, canned tomatoes in Eggs in Purgatory and roasted red peppers in Roasted Red Pepper Sauce.
May Contain
Mary Berg caters to food intolerances and allergies by amping up the flavor instead of using bland ingredient substitutions. She makes Vegan Strawberry Shortcakes, Tahini Chocolate Chunk Cookies, a Gluten-Free Apricot Tart and Vegan Jelly Cocktail wedges.
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.
Mary Bakes It Easy
Baking may be a science, but Mary Berg proves that it doesn't need to be complicated. She skips yeast and kneading to make Irish Soda Bread and dresses up Raspberry Almond Croissants. Mary also makes Toffee Brownie Cheesecake and easy Butter Tart Squares.
What Are Ya, Chicken?
Starting with a classic Roast Chicken Dinner, Mary Berg guarantees that chicken will never be boring or dry again. She also makes comforting Chicken Noodle Soup, Hoisin Chicken with Pickled Veg and her husband's favorite, Speedy Chicken Parm.
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.
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!
Batch Made in Heaven
Mary Berg fills up the freezer with batch-made meals for her and her friends. Her Go-To Tomato Sauce freezes beautifully, making it a must-have store 'n serve solution to throw together a meal, like Veggie Cabbage Rolls! These have a mushroom and rice filling with walnuts and fresh herbs. Speaking of rolls, Lasagna Roll Ups are pre-proportioned pasta perfection, made with pesto, spinach and ricotta filling and ground beef. Nothing brings comfort like chili, and Mary's Green Chili brings a new smoky spin on a freezer staple, using ground turkey, charred peppers and green salsa. Everything is ready to heat and serve in a jiff!
Tastes 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.
