Sarah Martens

Des Moines

Senior Food and Recipes Editor at Better Homes and Gardens

Articles

Danish Puff Pork Chops: The Nostalgic Comfort Food You’ve Never Tried—But Should

1 week ago | bhg.com | Sarah Martens

Credit: Jake Sternquist Prep Time:5 minsCook Time:10 minsBake Time:20 minsTotal Time:35 minsServings:4 Save your favorite Better Homes & Gardens recipes in one place using MyRecipes. Simply click the save icon (with a heart!) at the top of this recipe page. When I stumbled across a recipe for Danish Puff Chops in a small-town Iowa centennial cookbook, I immediately flagged it to try. I love nostalgic recipes that remind me of my childhood and had a hunch this one would fit the bill.
I Tried Kate Hudson's Favorite Taco Recipe—Find Out Why Kurt Russell Loves It Too

1 week ago | bhg.com | Sarah Martens

Credit: Jake Sternquist On a recent episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, actress Kate Hudson shared how to make her go-to ground beef taco recipe. And she's not the only one in her family that loves them; Kurt Russell is also a big fan. "These are the go-to tacos in our house. They’re my dad’s favorite. He actually had this dream to open a car wash, and my tacos would be the only thing that you could get there," Kate shared. With raves like that, I knew I needed to give the recipe a try for myself.
Now Is the Time to Rediscover the Gooey, Marshmallow Magic of Mud Hen Bars

1 week ago | bhg.com | Sarah Martens

Credit: Photo: Jake Sternquist Prep Time:20 minsBake Time:20 minsTotal Time:40 minsServings:24 Jump to Nutrition FactsDon't miss a single recipe! Save your favorite Better Homes & Gardens recipes in one place using MyRecipes. Simply click the save icon (with a heart!) at the top of this recipe page. If you're looking for a new go-to potluck dessert, turn to grandma's recipe box. This mud hen bar recipe is like a twist on classic chocolate chip cookie bars, and it's absolutely delicious.
I Tried the Pasta Salad That's Been Saved Thousands of Times—and It Is That Good

2 weeks ago | bhg.com | Sarah Martens

Credit: Carson Downing. Food Stylist: Annie Probst Summer is pasta salad season, and I'm always on the hunt for a new go-to recipe. When I noticed our mashup of Marry Me Chicken and pasta salad was being saved over and over again, I knew I had to give it a try. And speaking of saving recipes, if you haven't checked out our MyRecipes feature, consider this the nudge you need. MyRecipes is an online recipe box where you can save all your favorite Better Homes & Gardens recipes.
I Tried Our Most-Saved Dessert of 2025 So Far

2 weeks ago | bhg.com | Sarah Martens

Credit: Kelsey Hansen If you haven't seen the heart-shaped save icon on all our recipes, let me introduce you to MyRecipes, the online recipe box where you can stash all your favorite Better Homes & Gardens recipes. It's a great tool for saving and organizing recipes. As a BHG food editor, I'm always curious what our readers are loving most. Our lemon dump cake recipe has been saved thousands of times this year, and I can see why.
I’ve Been Making Bisquick’s Strawberry Shortcake Recipe for 30 Years—Here’s Why

2 weeks ago | bhg.com | Sarah Martens

Credit: Jake Sternquist Growing up as a kid in the 80s, my mom relied on several "back of the box" recipes. We always made Lipton's French onion dip for parties and French's green bean casserole for Thanksgiving. And while I do revisit these from time to time, one package recipe has remained in my rotation: Bisquick's Strawberry Shortcakes. With strawberry season upon us, let me share why it's the ideal time to try this nostalgic favorite.
Ina Garten's Lemon Bars Are the Best I've Ever Had, and It's Not Even Close

2 weeks ago | bhg.com | Sarah Martens

Credit: Grant Webster When it comes to summer desserts, I like to keep things simple. I often go for the same three sweets: strawberry shortcake, brownies, or lemon bars. While I have go-to recipes for the shortcakes and brownies, I hadn't found a lemon bar that I wanted to make again until I tried Ina Garten's recipe for lemon bars. Here's why I think they're the best lemon bars I've had yet.
You’re Not Ready for How Good This Grilled Watermelon Panzanella Is

3 weeks ago | bhg.com | Sarah Martens |Elizabeth Fogarty

Credit: Kelsey Hansen / Food Styling: Annie Probst Total Time:25 minsServings:5 Jump to Nutrition FactsDon't miss a single recipe! Save your favorite Better Homes & Gardens recipes in one place using MyRecipes. Simply click the save icon (with a heart!) at the top of this recipe page. Charred chunks of watermelon elevate this rustic Italian bread-and-veggie salad.
This Chile-Watermelon Salad Is the Bold Summer Side You Didn’t Know You Needed

3 weeks ago | bhg.com | Sarah Martens |Elizabeth Fogarty

Credit: Kelsey Hansen / Food Styling: Annie Probst Total Time:20 minsServings:8 Yield:8 cupsJump to Nutrition FactsDon't miss a single recipe! Save your favorite Better Homes & Gardens recipes in one place using MyRecipes. Simply click the save icon (with a heart!) at the top of this recipe page. Inspired by the flavors of Mexican salsa macha, this fruit salad marries watermelon with lime, cilantro, dry-roasted peanuts, and chiles. The melon tames the heat and plays sweet to the peanuts’ salt.
This Campari Margarita Recipe Tastes Like an Italian Summer

3 weeks ago | bhg.com | Sarah Martens

Credit: Carson Downing Total Time:5 minsServings:1 Jump to Nutrition FactsDon't miss a single recipe! Save your favorite Better Homes & Gardens recipes in one place using MyRecipes. Simply click the save icon (with a heart!) at the top of this recipe page. This sophisticated take on a margarita is buoyed by two orange liqueurs. Italian Campari and French Cointreau add layers of tingly bitterness tempered by fresh orange juice. To soften the booziness, serve your drink over ice. What Is Campari?