Recipe courtesy of Valerie Bertinelli Boiled lima beans and corn are tossed with golden sauteed onions and plum tomatoes in a bright cider vinegar dressing seasoned with parsley, sage, and nutmeg. This hearty, rustic salad celebrates classic American harvest ingredients and makes a wonderful Thanksgiving side dish.

A complex mole sauce built from ancho and pasilla chiles, almonds, pepitas, Mexican chocolate, raisins, chipotles, and warm spices is slow-cooked with chicken for four hours and served with a bright radish salad and charred tortillas. This rich, deeply layered mole showcases the depth of Mexican cuisine and lets the slow cooker do the patient work of melding dozens of ingredients into one extraordinary sauce.

Mixed-color new potatoes are grilled until charred and tender, then tossed with a fragrant tarragon-lemon compound butter that melts into every crevice. This vibrant, springtime side dish pairs the smoky char of the grill with the bright, anise-like freshness of tarragon.

Basmati rice simmered with dried cranberries in chicken broth, then folded with toasted almonds and fresh parsley. A festive, jeweled side dish that bridges traditions and ties together any blended holiday menu.

Lemonade frozen with fresh blueberries in ice cube trays is blended with additional chilled lemonade into a thick, slushy, purple-swirled drink. This frosty, kid-friendly refresher captures the spirit of a summer fair lemonade stand with a burst of blueberry in every icy sip.

Ground turkey simmered with tomato paste, allspice, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, cloves, vinegar, Worcestershire, and a touch of chocolate is ladled over spaghetti and topped with shredded Cheddar and green onions in true Cincinnati style. This warmly spiced, unconventional chili is a beloved Ohio comfort food tradition that converts skeptics with every bite.

A smoky grilled corn and bean salad packed with black beans, chickpeas, bell peppers, and cilantro. Tossed in a zesty lime-cumin dressing with a splash of hot sauce.

Lamb chops are marinated in red wine, balsamic vinegar, and rosemary, then seared on a grill pan and drizzled with a reduced marinade-honey glaze. These elegant, bite-sized lamb lollipops deliver rich, aromatic flavor and make a sophisticated addition to any dinner party or appetizer spread.

Dense, fudgy brownies made with unsweetened chocolate and buttermilk for a rich, gooey center. The ultimate movie night indulgence.

Corn muffin mix baked into cookies with butter, pickled jalapenos, honey, and a dusting of Tajin seasoning. A playful sweet-savory twist that surprises and delights anyone who tries one.