Crunchy twice-baked biscotti loaded with toasted walnuts and a surprising kick of black pepper. Flavored with orange zest and vanilla for a cookie that pairs perfectly with coffee.

From-scratch yeast dough pressed into a springform pan, layered with mozzarella, Asiago, Italian sausage, and homemade marinara, then baked for forty minutes. A thick, cheesy, saucy tribute to Chicago's most legendary pizza style.

Salted slices of eggplant, yellow squash, zucchini, and tomatoes are arranged in a spiral over caramelized shallots and baked under a blanket of fontina and Parmesan. This beautiful gratin is the ideal way to showcase the last of summer's garden bounty as an elegant side dish.

A stunning tri-colored layered cookie made with almond paste dough tinted red, green, and yellow, filled with raspberry jam and apricot preserves. Topped with melted dark chocolate for a show-stopping holiday treat.

Hand-ground fresh salmon patties seasoned with Dijon, jalapeno, lemon zest, and herbs, grilled and served on buns with all the fixings. A lighter, flavorful alternative to beef burgers that's ideal for closing out grilling season.

A quick and easy beer bread made with self-rising flour, rosemary, and Parmesan. Golden and crusty on the outside, soft on the inside, and ready in under an hour.

Yellow cake baked in a jelly roll pan is topped with a layer of melted peanut butter followed by melted chocolate chips, then cooled and cut into rich, candy bar-like squares. These no-fuss sheet cakes deliver an irresistible chocolate-peanut butter combination with minimal effort and maximum crowd appeal.

A refreshing gin cocktail with a homemade rosemary simple syrup and fresh lemon juice. A fragrant, herbal twist on the classic gin fizz.

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 rich butterscotch cake layered with brown sugar caramel and cream. A decadent homemade dessert that's a labor of love.