Too Many Cooks: Cooking for Others

You'll be hearing from the staff at Food52 every week in Too Many Cooks, our group column in which we pool our answers to questions about food, cooking, life, and more.

Our friends at Mealku, an NYC-based marketplace for creative home cooks, are sponsoring this article on our favorite dishes to cook for others.

One of the best things about cooking is being able to share what you make with other people. Whether it's a celebration or a gesture of gratitude, cooking for others -- be it friends, family, or coworkers -- always brings us joy. So this week, we're asking:

What's your favorite dish to cook for others?

We want to hear your favorites -- tell us in the comments!

Marian: I like making people pie. Because then I get to eat pie.

Brette: BLONDIES. Always blondies.

Bryce: Pulled pork or pie!

Kenzi: If I don't have to travel anywhere, then risotto, or a big pot of soup -- like this. If I do, probably cake. If I don't eat it all first.

Maddy: Gumbo with lots and lots of goodies in it: okra, andouille, shrimp, oysters, crab!

Lauren: My go to is a frittata with a potato-layered bottom and lots of goat cheese. In the fall, an apple or pear tart for dessert.

James: I love making spinach ravioli. My kids love to help, so we always end up with interesting ravioli shapes.

Hannah: This might not count as cooking, but I really like making people sandwiches. And I like to stick in sweet little notes, too.

Ryan: It's-a piz-za pie-a!

Gabriella: Pasta alla puttanesca!! With bread and a lot of red wine. (Especially for people who claim they don't like olives -- I've converted a few of them this way.)

Jennifer: Osso Buco!

Amanda: I make my mother-in-law's almond cake -- it travels well, it's a crowd-pleaser, and no one complains about getting a cake.

Bea: Oven-fried chicken and buttermilk waffles. It's perfect for any time of the day!

Merrill: In the fall and winter, I love making stewed and/or braised dishes for a crowd. Also, lasagna.

Stephanie: Really any type of baked goods, but my favorite is probably cake. I love a good layer cake, and everyone should have more cake in their lives.

Amelia: My dad has a great recipe for stracotto al Barolo that is served with polenta. It's so simple and you can pretty much throw it all together for less than $15. It's typically what I make when I want to trick people into thinking I'm an amazing cook.

Tell us: What's your favorite dish to cook for others?

Olive Oil Ricotta Cake photo by Eric Moran. All other photos by James Ransom.

This article was brought to you by Mealku.