Salami layered with mozzarella and Parmesan, bound with eggs, and baked in crescent roll dough until puffed and golden. A rich, meaty Italian pie rooted in family tradition that is perfect for brunch, lunch, or a hearty snack.

A versatile fresh salsa made with Roma tomatoes, scallions, cilantro, and lime, divided into two servings. Half is served as classic salsa and the other half is mixed with mashed avocado for instant guacamole.

Ancho chile-rubbed beef tenderloin seared and roasted to a perfect medium rare, sliced and drizzled with an olive oil infused with parsley, cilantro, and chives. A stunning, celebratory main course with a spicy crust and herbaceous finish fit for a birthday dinner.

This is the sandwich I grew up on and it still hits exactly the same way. Prosciutto, hot capicola, Genoa salami, and provolone layered onto ciabatta with plum tomatoes, shredded lettuce, red onion, and pickled pepperoncini — all drizzled with a simple red wine vinegar dressing. Wrapped in wax paper and sliced in half the way a proper hero should be. This is not just a sandwich. This is a love letter to my mom.

A three-layer gluten-free cake made with coconut flour, oat flour, coconut oil, coconut sugar, grated carrots, and applesauce is frosted with a luscious coconut cream cheese frosting. This wholesome celebration cake proves that gluten-free baking can be every bit as tender, moist, and festive as the traditional version.

Hot dog halves are skewered on sticks, dipped in a cornmeal-buttermilk batter, and deep-fried at 375 degrees until golden and crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. These bite-sized carnival classics are an irresistible, fun-to-eat treat that kids and adults alike will devour by the handful.

Bring the heat to your next backyard hangout with Valerie’s ultimate sweet-and-spicy summer dish featuring perfectly seared scallops over a bed of fresh, snappy corn. It’s a quick, cast-iron masterpiece that delivers a burst of seasonal flavor and just the right amount of chili-crisp kick!

A vanilla cake mix base is paired with a rich ricotta-cocoa-mascarpone filling that magically swaps layers during baking, then topped with a luscious mascarpone-pudding frosting and chocolate curls. This whimsical, self-swirling cake is as fun to make as it is to eat, delivering a playful payback-worthy surprise.

Chicken thighs marinated in Dijon mustard, vermouth, and lemon, seared golden, then baked over roasted leeks, potatoes, and onions with a crispy breadcrumb-tarragon topping. A one-pan dinner with incredible depth of flavor that renovates a simple chicken bake into something truly memorable.

Fresh clams are steamed open with sausage, shallots, garlic, white wine, coconut milk, ginger, turmeric, and a squeeze of lime, then served alongside crusty garlic bread spiked with red pepper flakes. This aromatic, brothy bowl brings together coastal tradition and Southeast Asian-inspired flavors for a deeply satisfying shared meal.