Make Ahead

A combination of nut butter, dried fruit, and lots of seeds makes these chewy homemade granola bars downright irresistible. For a crispier bar, toast them in the oven after baking.

We love this cross between steak and cocktail sauce so much, we had to create our own version. The ketchup base has a well-balanced combination of molasses, Worcestershire, vinegar, and horseradish that makes it perfect for surf or turf!

Combining favorite fall fruits and spices with sparkling cider, rum, and wine gives sangria a refreshing new spin.

This makes an extra quart of cooked beans. Save (or freeze) for another batch of escarole, or serve them simply warmed in their broth.

Nothing feels more decadent than giant shells of pasta filled with creamy mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta.

Never have button mushrooms been more delicious than in this veg-packed spicy dip recipe, also ideal as a sandwich spread or finisher for simply prepared vegetables.

This simple berry-studded cake recipe is a real keeper.

Okay, this is actually a cheesecake, but it's so creamy and light that you won't care what it's called, you'll just ask for more.

Bake your plums in an anise-tinged, pancake-like batter for a simple dessert that’s airy, silky, and just sweet enough.

Vanilla-infused brown butter adds nuttiness to tender pears beneath a crisp almond topping.

This smooth custard in a flaky shell with a crackling burnt-sugar top was one of the most popular desserts at Michael's in Santa Monica.

When I was a kid growing up in the Midwest, my friends and I would always pick up big packages of bratwurst to grill while watching sporting events. I wanted to re-create the sausage of my youth, and I think these bratwurst come pretty close. This is a simple, classic sausage; serve it on a crunchy roll with mustard and sauerkraut.

We call this one a picnic dinner since everything can be eaten with your hands. It's easy to pack up and take to the park if you want, but it also works great on the family table.

The sweet, fresh flavor of these orange cupcakes, studded with tart cranberries (fresh and frozen work equally well), makes for a vibrant holiday dessert as worthy of Thanksgiving as any pie.

Embrace the start of autumn with cozy, Indian-inspired sweet potatoes loaded with curry-spiced chickpeas, mushrooms, and spinach.

We eat this salad—which is a great way to stretch a piece of beef—all year long for lunch and dinner, but it's particularly good during the warmer months. The thinly sliced meat, the crunch of the cucumbers and red onions, and the heady aroma of mint and cilantro tossed with the chile-spiked salty-sweet dressing seem made for hot days and nights.

This zippy, herbaceous drinkable soup is like a trip to the farmers’ market in a glass.

Mandolines were made for recipes like this; even slices will make this simple salad look like the work of a pro.

A couple tablespoons of yogurt miraculously transform a basic vinaigrette recipe into a new creamy dressing.

Consider this recipe a no-brainer formula where you can sub in any raw veg, oil, or cheese you feel like.