A rich yeast dough flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest is rolled around a cream cheese-cinnamon filling with a hidden plastic baby, shaped into an oval, baked golden, then iced and decorated with festive purple, green, and yellow sanding sugar. This iconic New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition brings carnival spirit to any celebration, with the lucky baby-finder crowned king or queen of the party.

Homemade crispy crackers studded with rosemary, black pepper, and Parmesan. A savory, addictive snack perfect for movie night munching.

Brussels sprouts halved and quartered, then cooked with cubed pancetta until the sprouts are tender and the pancetta is crispy and golden. A simple, savory side dish that pairs salty Italian pancetta with earthy sprouts for an effortless crowd-pleaser.

Calamari marinated in a soy-vinegar-honey-chili-ginger blend is grilled and served over marinated cucumbers atop a spiced yogurt sauce seasoned with coriander, caraway, sumac, and paprika. This vibrant, layered dish brings bold global flavors together for an elegant warm-weather appetizer or light main course.

Mandoline-sliced Yukon Gold potatoes are shingled on a sheet pan over caramelized onions and a rosemary-Dijon-lemon cream, then layered with fontina and Parmesan and baked at 450 degrees until golden and bubbling. This clever sheet-pan method creates maximum crispy edges and cheesy crust in every serving, making it a crowd-friendly upgrade to the classic casserole.

A puffy, golden oven-baked pancake risen in a preheated cast-iron skillet, served with a vibrant strained raspberry-orange sauce. A dramatic yet effortless breakfast-for-dinner that is just the thing after a long day of travel.

Crisp iceberg wedges draped in a rich Gorgonzola and sour cream dressing with Roma tomatoes and shatteringly crispy baked pancetta. A steakhouse classic that embraces cheat day with its creamy, indulgent blue cheese dressing.

Aperol and vodka shaken together and strained into a frozen martini glass, finished with a splash of bubbly prosecco. A clever renovation of the classic Italian spritz that swaps the wine glass for a martini glass with added spirit.

A buttery food-processor crust is spread with cream cheese-egg yolk filling, mounded with fresh cherries tossed in cornstarch, folded at the edges, brushed with egg wash, and sprinkled with crunchy Demerara sugar. This rustic, free-form galette delivers all the charm of a homemade cherry pie with a fraction of the fuss.

Toasted cinnamon raisin bread cubes combined with hot Italian sausage, fennel, celery, and onion, bound with broth and eggs and baked until golden. A sweet-savory stuffing that adds an unexpected, delicious twist to the Thanksgiving table.