Whole chicken legs grilled low and slow with a homemade barbecue sauce spiked with molasses, chipotles, and warm spices. An affordable, finger-licking main course that delivers big smoky flavor on a small budget.

Buttery slice-and-bake cookies studded with dried cherries and a subtle kick of white pepper, shaped into logs and chilled overnight before slicing. A surprising sweet-spicy combination that makes for an unexpected and delightful wine club dessert.

Baked russet potatoes are scooped out, riced, mixed with Cheddar, sour cream, and scallions, stuffed back into their skins, topped with crumbled bacon, and baked again until golden and bubbling. These loaded, crispy-skinned potatoes are the quintessential American steakhouse side dish, indulgent and satisfying down to the last cheesy bite.

Sweet Italian sausage patties topped with sauteed bell pepper, shallot, and garlic in a quick tomato sauce on soft slider buns. A mini version of the Italian street fair classic that's perfect for passing around at parties.

A classic pumpkin pie with a homemade flaky crust and warmly spiced pumpkin custard filling. A Thanksgiving staple made entirely from scratch.

Rehydrated ancho chile paste is infused into browned butter and combined with Mexican and bittersweet chocolate, espresso, and walnuts for intensely fudgy brownies served with cinnamon-spiked whipped cream. These deeply complex, chile-laced brownies deliver waves of smoky heat, bitter chocolate, and warm spice that honor ancient Aztec chocolate traditions.

Small red potatoes are boiled until tender, then pan-fried in butter until their surfaces turn shatteringly golden, and tossed with fresh parsley, chives, and cracked pepper. These crispy-outside, creamy-inside potatoes are a classic French bistro side that pairs beautifully with the bold espresso rib-eye.

Val’s quick recipe tosses tender shrimp in a smoky, zesty chipotle mayo packed with crisp celery, bell pepper, and cucumber. Tucked into buttery lettuce leaves with creamy sliced avocado, this vibrant dish is the ultimate low-prep, flavor-packed meal for one.

A whole chicken with the backbone removed, flattened and roasted at high heat on a bed of fresh thyme until golden and juicy. A foolproof technique that delivers perfectly crispy skin and tender meat for Wolfie's homecoming dinner.

A whole turkey deep-fried to golden, crispy perfection with incredibly juicy meat inside. The showstopping centerpiece of Valerie's Thanksgiving table.