Preparing this Watermelon and Burrata salad is an absolute breeze. Perfect for when you're hungry but don't want to spend all day over a hot stove. It's refreshing, a bit salty, and packed with flavor.

Ground turkey simmered with tomato paste, allspice, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, cloves, vinegar, Worcestershire, and a touch of chocolate is ladled over spaghetti and topped with shredded Cheddar and green onions in true Cincinnati style. This warmly spiced, unconventional chili is a beloved Ohio comfort food tradition that converts skeptics with every bite.

Lobster shells are simmered with sherry and vegetables to build a rich stock, then pureed with an immersion blender and finished with cream and chunks of tender lobster meat. This luxurious, velvety bisque is a sophisticated soup course perfect for a special occasion or holiday meal.

A sourdough loaf cross-hatched and filled with garlic butter and Asiago cheese, baked in foil then uncovered until golden and bubbly. A warm, shareable centerpiece that draws everyone into the kitchen on a cold winter night.

Pinto beans simmered with cumin, coriander, and chipotle, mashed to a thick paste with some texture left for body, and finished with fresh lime. A flavorful, from-scratch staple that outshines any canned version and anchors the whole So-Cal menu.

Chicken livers sautéed with coriander, allspice, cream, and brandy are pureed silky smooth in a food processor and served alongside a sweet-tangy red onion jam made with red wine and vinegar on sliced baguette. This elegant, bistro-style pâté makes a sophisticated appetizer that balances the livers' richness with the jam's bright acidity.

Large white mushroom caps filled with a savory spinach and breadcrumb stuffing baked until golden. A classic appetizer that never goes out of style.

Salmon fillets baked with a creamy honey-mustard sauce made with Dijon, mayo, and fresh chives. A simple weeknight main that feels elegant enough for company.

A savory twist on Italian panna cotta infused with horseradish and Dijon mustard. A unique and sophisticated accompaniment to beef tenderloin.

A chocolate hybrid treat that's half scone, half muffin — tender, rich, and cocoa-forward. A sweet Valentine's morning surprise.