Food

This easy all-purpose yellow cake takes just a bit longer to make than one from a packaged mix, but is it ever worth it. An instant test-kitchen favorite, it is absolutely delicious and will rise to any occasion.

Cake

1 stick unsalted butter, softened, plus more for cake pans and parchment
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Frosting

1 stick unsalted butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
5 cups confectioner's sugar
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
1/4 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Related: 15 Kitchen Shortcuts That Will Change the Way You Cook

1. Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 8-inch round cake pans and line bottoms with parchment; butter parchment as well. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Be

Prepare your meals for the entire week—it's easier than you think …

Are you that person who frantically runs to the grocery store every afternoon because you have nothing for dinner? "Planning is the key to a balanced lifestyle, particularly when it comes to meals," explains Sharon Richter, registered dietician and FITiST expert based in New York City. "When you don't plan, you gravitate towards high fat, processed items," she says.

MORE: Cooking Gadgets That Make Your Life Easier

But if you commit to making your own food-and cook a lot at once-you'll know exactly what ingredients are in your dish, you'll save money and you won't find yourself hard-pressed for a meal at the last minute. Not sure where to start? All you need is a little how-to instruction on big batch cooking. And that's where we come in:

1. Choose One Day a Week To Work
Designate two or three hours on a weekend or a non-busy week day or night to grocery shop and cook your staples for the week's meals, suggests Devin Alexander, celebrity chef of NBC's "The Biggest L

Lemon Pork Chops with Quinoa Salad

Your family will love these flavorful pork chops with a crunchy almond topping. As for the perfectly fluffy quinoa? Simmer, drain, and let it stand, covered, to steam; then fluff!

Lemon Pork Chops with Quinoa Salad

Ingredients

6 (1/2-inch-thick) bone-in center-cut pork rib chops (about 4 lb.)
2 tablespoons lemon-herb seasoning
1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 1/2 cups uncooked quinoa
1 (8-oz.) package fresh sugar snap peas
1 garlic clove, sliced
Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette
1/3 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/4 cup chopped dry-roasted almonds

See More: 101 Mouth-Watering Comfort Food Classics

Preparation

1. Rub pork chops with herb seasoning and 1 tsp. kosher salt. Sear half of pork in 2 1/2 Tbsp. hot olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until browned and cooked through. Keep pork warm on a wire rack in a 200° oven. Repeat procedure with 2 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil and remaining por