Italian-style finger sandwiches layered with salami, prosciutto, mortadella, roasted red peppers, and pepperoncini on herbed bread. Trimmed and cut into elegant thirds for a beautiful party platter.

A perfect ending to a perfect day - a spicy, tangy mock-tail or cocktail. Just refreshing as can be.

Baby spinach is wilted in nutty browned butter with garlic and shallots, then brightened with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. This simple, elegant side comes together in minutes but delivers rich, toasty flavor that pairs beautifully with the cedar plank salmon.

Bite-sized cauliflower florets roasted at 425 degrees until beautifully browned, then tossed with a zesty chile-lime seasoning. A lighter, veggie-forward happy hour snack that is just as addictive and poppable as the real thing.

Leftovers just got a glow-up. Val and Sophie take that Set-it-and-forget-it Pot Roast and turn it into taco night with a smoky, spiced-up beef filling piled into charred tortillas with all the fixings. Ten minutes, zero guilt about eating the same thing twice.

Gingerbread-espresso cookie dough is shaped into cones, filled with a pecan-brown sugar-cherry mixture, and baked until golden and fragrant. These charming bell-shaped cookies are a treasured holiday heirloom recipe with warm spice, toasty nuts, and a touch of fruity sweetness in every bite.

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.

This is the sandwich I grew up on and it still hits exactly the same way. Prosciutto, hot capicola, Genoa salami, and provolone layered onto ciabatta with plum tomatoes, shredded lettuce, red onion, and pickled pepperoncini — all drizzled with a simple red wine vinegar dressing. Wrapped in wax paper and sliced in half the way a proper hero should be. This is not just a sandwich. This is a love letter to my mom.

A silky vanilla panna cotta set in ramekins and topped with a vibrant mixed berry sauce. This elegant Italian custard dessert is the perfect make-ahead dinner party finale.