Grapefruit juice and lemon vodka shaken with pomegranate juice and served in a glass rimmed with grapefruit-zest sugar. A tart, rosy cocktail that shakes off the travel blues and welcomes you home in style.

Ziti is tossed with chicken, mushrooms, and cauliflower in a luscious cream sauce enriched with cream cheese, Parmesan, green chiles, thyme, and peas, then baked at 425°F until golden. This make-ahead casserole is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for entertaining, delivering rich comfort food that can be assembled in advance.

Chicken thighs are baked and then broiled with a homemade barbecue sauce built from apricot preserves, Fresno chiles, and Dijon mustard until caramelized and sticky. These sweet-heat thighs deliver a glossy, finger-licking glaze that balances fruity sweetness with a slow chile burn, perfect for a casual dinner party.

Cubed rib-eye steak is browned and simmered with poblanos, bell peppers, Anaheim peppers, serranos, chipotle puree, lager, pinto and kidney beans, and sweet corn. This multi-pepper, steak-house-quality chili builds serious heat from four different chile varieties while the tender rib-eye makes every bowl feel like an indulgence.

Tender baby beets roasted until caramelized and tossed with fresh parsley and tarragon. A simple, elegant side dish that lets the natural sweetness of the beets shine.

Buttery toffee studded with toasted hazelnuts and finished with flaky sea salt. A sweet-salty confection perfect for gifting to neighbors.

Black beans are simmered with onion, garlic, cumin, chipotle chile powder, cayenne, green chiles, and vegetable broth until thick and deeply seasoned, then topped with fresh cilantro and crumbled Cotija. These smoky, spicy beans are an essential side for any taco spread, adding hearty substance to the SoCal-style feast.

A buttery tart crust blind-baked to golden perfection, filled with cream cheese whipped cream, and topped with jewel-toned fresh berries under a gleaming apricot glaze. A classic French-style tart that bridges old-world pastry technique with fresh, new-world fruit.

A hearty Thanksgiving stuffing studded with toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and sweet Italian sausage. Baked until golden on top with a moist, savory interior.