14 Recipes to Make on Your Day Off

A day off for a holiday is like a gift of extra time. You now have 8 hours (plus whatever your commute is) that you wouldn't have otherwise had. So how do you spend it? We love breaking into the old Cooking Light magazine recipe archives and finding the pages we marked to make on a day we had a little extra time. Here are the recipes we can't wait to try on our day off, and we hope you'll join us as we experiment. 

Olive Oil-Basted Grass-Fed Strip Steak

Basting proteins helps keep the steaks extra delicious and moist. This method is our go-to for adding some extra fat to a leaner piece of protein. 

Curry-Poached Cod with Snap Pea Slaw 

Poaching fish is the perfect way to infuse unreal flavor into a plain dish. This recipe uses a curry inspired sauce to take basic cod up to next level delicious. 

Lentil-Tahini Burgers with Pickled Cabbage 

This quick-pickled cabbage slaw adds the perfect crunchy contrast to the creamy dressing and meaty vegetarian patty. 

Fermented Jalapeno Hot Sauce

Set some fermenting veggie jars aside with your free time to get a funky, kimchi-like sauce to use on a crazy weeknight down the road. 

White Cheddar and Bacon Risotto 

Risotto is one of those dishes that you have to babysit, but with an extra half hour on our hands to dive deep into the cheesy goodness, this is a great pick for dinner. 

Spaghetti and Meatballs 

We love simple spaghetti and meatballs, but it's finally time to try this lightened up zoodle version. Grab your end of season zucchini and spiralize away for this perfect dinner dish. 

Basil-Ricotta Ravioli with Spinach 

Store bought wonton wrappers help make these homemade ravioli easier than you thought. It's the perfect opportunity to indulge a little this holiday weekend. 

Tempeh Gyros with Tzatziki 

Alternative meats go way beyond sad grilled tofu. This dish has real flavor that hits you hard, with a fresh vegan tzatziki sauce and a unreal cooking liquid to take take tempeh places you didn't think it could go. 

Tangy Beer-Can Chicken 

Turn up the grill one last weekend for the ultimate chicken dish. The evaporating beer keeps chicken tender and delicious, while adding a subtle flavor you'll adore. 

Tomato, Basil, and Corn Pizza 

Homemade pizza can truly be a family affair. Bonus points if you cook this one over the grill for a true end-of-summer feast. 

Watermelon Granita with Hibiscus Syrup and Yogurt

This ultimate summertime dessert takes a little time and attention, but it's perfect for a pool day or family barbecue. 

Matcha-Glazed Donuts

Donuts are the perfect way to entertain your kids when they're home from school. Experiment with the unique flavor that matcha brings, and get some great photos as you cook. 

Halibut Ceviche with Lime and Seaweed 

Nothing screams summer as much as fresh ceviche. Take the plunge and try cooking with acid so you can enjoy dish this while the weather stays warm. 

Tune Poke Bowls with Brown Rice and Kale

Hop on the poke wagon with these delicious tuna bowls. You'll feel like you took a dinnertime vacation to a tropical island.