
Ponche Navideño
Tamarind paste, tejocotes, piloncillo, guavas, oranges, pears, prunes, raisins, cinnamon sticks, and cloves are simmered together into a fragrant, fruity punch with an optional splash of rum or brandy. This traditional Mexican Christmas punch fills the house with warm spice aromas and brings authentic holiday spirit to any festive gathering.

Polenta Crackers with Roasted Wild Mushrooms
Crispy cornmeal-Parmesan crackers made from food processor dough, topped with wild mushrooms roasted at 450 degrees with tarragon and lemon. A sophisticated, earthy bite that elevates any wine club gathering with its rich, woodsy flavor.

Cherry Cheesecake Pizza Pie
A showstopping dessert mashup with an almond flour crust, creamy lemon cheesecake filling, vanilla bean cherry compote, and billowy whipped cream. A retro-inspired creation that brings together pizza pie charm and cheesecake decadence.

Roasted Artichoke Hearts Provencal
Frozen artichoke hearts roasted with kalamata olives, capers, orange zest, Roma tomatoes, and a splash of white wine. A fragrant, Mediterranean-inspired side dish bursting with bright Provencal flavors.

Spicy Pickled Okra and Green Beans
Blanched green beans and okra are steeped in a spiced vinegar brine with coriander, cayenne, and smoked paprika, then refrigerated for at least six hours. These crunchy, tangy pickled vegetables serve double duty as a zesty snack and a garnish for cocktails like the Bloody Bull.

Avocado Open-Faced Sandwich
An open-faced sandwich layered with lemony ricotta, sliced avocado, and heirloom tomatoes on toasted sourdough. Finished with sunflower seeds and a sprinkle of lemon sea salt.

Valerie's Spumoni
Three layers of gelato featuring chocolate, cherry-Amarena, and pistachio flavors set over a chocolate wafer crust in a loaf pan and frozen overnight. A stunning, tri-colored Italian frozen dessert that brings a touch of the old country to the family table.

Pumpkin Love Cake
A spice cake mix is layered with a ricotta-mascarpone filling that magically switches positions during baking, then topped with a pumpkin spice pudding-mascarpone frosting. This easy yet impressive cake captures all the warm spice flavors of fall and makes a delightful alternative to traditional pumpkin pie.

Kale Chips, Three Ways
Crispy baked kale chips prepared three ways: classic with olive oil, Italian-style with Parmesan and pine nuts, and seaside spice with Old Bay and cayenne. A healthy, crunchy snack with something for everyone.

Breakfast Fajitas
Morning-after fajitas with sauteed bell peppers, scrambled eggs, and chili seasoning wrapped in warm flour tortillas. A hearty, satisfying brunch that comes together fast.

Lynn's "Sick" Brownies Bites
No-bake brownie bites made with graham crackers, coconut, walnuts, chocolate chips, and condensed milk. Rolled in powdered sugar for a sweet, fudgy finger-food dessert.

Grilled Corn and Bean Salad
A smoky grilled corn and bean salad packed with black beans, chickpeas, bell peppers, and cilantro. Tossed in a zesty lime-cumin dressing with a splash of hot sauce.

Bami Goreng
Indonesian stir-fried noodles are tossed with sliced pork tenderloin, shredded cabbage, red pepper, and sambal oelek in a homemade ketjap sambal sauce made with tamari and five-spice powder. This aromatic, wok-fired noodle dish brings the bold, sweet-spicy flavors of Indonesian street food to the home kitchen.

Grilled Radicchio and Shrimp Salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette
Halved radicchio and shrimp charred on the grill until smoky and tender, drizzled with a sweet honey-balsamic vinaigrette. A warm, smoky salad with beautiful grill marks that bridges the gap between light lunch and hearty grilled fare.

Marinated Cucumber Salad
Thinly sliced cucumbers marinated in rice vinegar and soy sauce with a touch of sugar. A cool, refreshing Asian-inspired side salad.

Chicken and Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo with Homemade Fettuccine
Homemade egg fettuccine made with a stand mixer and pasta roller is tossed with pan-seared chicken, roasted broccoli, and a creamy Asiago-Parmesan sauce brightened with lemon. This from-scratch pasta dish is an impressive yet comforting weeknight dinner that rewards a little extra effort.

Green Chile Queso
A silky queso dip made with white American cheese and sharp white cheddar, swirled with canned green chiles and fresh Fresno pepper. An addictive, crowd-pleasing appetizer that comes together in minutes.

Goat Cheese and Asparagus Crostini
Toasted crostini topped with creamy goat cheese and roasted asparagus spears. A simple, elegant appetizer for drop-in guests.

Tom's Mom's Apple Pie
A tender food processor crust made with lard and butter cradles Granny Smith apples spiced with brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg under a woven lattice top, served with dollops of mascarpone whipped cream. This heirloom family recipe is the definitive all-American apple pie, with a flaky, old-fashioned crust and a filling that honors tradition in every spiced, buttery bite.