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.

Buttery slice-and-bake cookies studded with dried cherries and a subtle kick of white pepper, shaped into logs and chilled overnight before slicing. A surprising sweet-spicy combination that makes for an unexpected and delightful wine club dessert.

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.

Sauteed mushrooms, shallots, and spinach mixed with mozzarella, Parmesan, and eggs, baked inside a golden crescent roll dough crust. A savory, Italian-inspired pie that showcases the kind of family recipe passed between kitchen cousins.

These banana muffins get a serious upgrade with warm maple syrup, cozy pumpkin pie spice, and rich, toasty brown butter that makes them feel like a giant hug. They take just 10 minutes to prep, make your whole kitchen smell like heaven, and deliver a perfect crunch from chopped walnuts.

Blanched and grilled carrots, green beans, mushrooms, zucchini, squash, and radicchio chopped over Bibb lettuce with a light lemon vinaigrette. A vibrant, veggie-packed salad with beautiful char marks that makes eating clean feel anything but boring.

A classic Italian pasta with fresh clams in a light garlic and white wine sauce with a touch of red pepper. One of the simplest yet most satisfying pasta dishes in the Italian repertoire.

A buttery lime shortbread crust holds a silky mango-coconut milk-gelatin filling folded with whipped cream, topped with decorative fans of mango slices brushed in a tequila-lime glaze. This stunning, tropical tart is a showpiece dessert perfect for a festive summer gathering.

A nutrient-packed smoothie blending blueberries, avocado, banana, collard greens, and pineapple with coconut water. A thick, creamy breakfast drink with a hint of lime and ginger.

Perfect for a solo lunch or dinner, Val’s vibrant Ginger Miso Chicken Wrap packs crisp savoy cabbage, fresh radishes, and tender grilled chicken into a warm, toasted tortilla. It is effortlessly scaled down to make a single, satisfying meal that hits all the right savory and tangy notes.