Thick, rustic pici noodles are hand-rolled from a blend of all-purpose and semolina flours, then tossed with crispy pancetta and a silky egg-Parmesan-pecorino carbonara sauce. This artisan pasta showcases the joy of making noodles from scratch, rewarding the effort with an authentically Italian, soul-satisfying dish.

These Shakin’ Chicken cutlets are my go-to for a crispy, flavorful dinner that’s easy to make ahead and keep in the freezer. Cook them whenever you need a quick, comforting meal — especially perfect topped with a fresh, lemony arugula salad.

Tender pear pieces baked under a buttery oat crumble topping, served with maple-sweetened Greek yogurt. Individual-sized desserts with a wholesome, comforting feel.

A deeply flavorful Louisiana gumbo built on a dark roux with andouille and smoked sausage, okra, tomatoes, and shredded rotisserie chicken. Served over rice with scallions and hot sauce.

A chocolate wafer cookie crust is layered with a rich chocolate-coconut oil-creme de menthe ganache, then filled with a fluffy creme de menthe whipped cream and frozen until set. This cool, minty, no-bake icebox pie is the perfect refreshing finish to a fiery meal, with layers of chocolate and mint in every frozen slice.

Coconut seltzer, pineapple vodka, and fresh lime juice are stirred together over ice for a light, effervescent tropical cocktail. This breezy, three-ingredient spritzer is refreshingly simple and perfect for sipping during an outdoor movie under the stars.

Chewy chocolate chip cookies finished with a generous sprinkle of flaky sea salt for a sweet-salty contrast. An irresistible game day dessert.

Charred Hatch chiles are folded into a blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and Mexican blend cheese and baked in a cast-iron skillet at 375 degrees until bubbling and golden on top. This smoky, creamy dip showcases the distinctive flavor of seasonal Hatch chiles and disappears fast with a basket of tortilla chips.

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.

Fresh mixed berries macerated in chilled limoncello and garnished with ribbons of fresh basil. A light, boozy dessert that comes together in minutes.