A whole turkey deep-fried to golden, crispy perfection with incredibly juicy meat inside. The showstopping centerpiece of Valerie's Thanksgiving table.

A wheel of Brie is topped with mango chutney, raisins, and almonds, wrapped in puff pastry, and baked at high heat until the exterior is golden and the cheese is molten inside. This warm, gooey appetizer is an easy yet impressive starter that pairs beautifully with crusty bread or crackers.

A rich yeast dough flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest is rolled around a cream cheese-cinnamon filling with a hidden plastic baby, shaped into an oval, baked golden, then iced and decorated with festive purple, green, and yellow sanding sugar. This iconic New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition brings carnival spirit to any celebration, with the lucky baby-finder crowned king or queen of the party.

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.

A classic Louisiana red beans and rice simmered all day in the slow cooker with andouille sausage and Cajun spices. Effortless comfort food with deep, smoky flavor.

Mushrooms, carrots, and onion are sauteed and simmered in chicken broth with fish sauce and tangy tamarind paste, then finished with tender bok choy and sliced grilled chicken. This Southeast Asian-inspired soup showcases chicken in a warming, umami-rich broth that is a world away from the usual chicken soup.

Nothing says summer's not quite over like a watermelon margarita - minus the tequila. This one comes together in about two minutes flat: watermelon juice, a splash of club soda for fizz, and This Girl Walks Into a Bar's margarita mix doing all the heavy lifting on flavor. A Tajín rim brings the salty-spicy kick, a squeeze of lime finishes it off, and you've got something that tastes like a cocktail without the tequila (but you can add it in if you'd like). I am completely obsessed with this mixer line - it's become a staple in my kitchen - and they're giving Valerie's Place members 30% off their entire order. Head to thisgirlmixerssnacks.com and use code VALERIE at checkout.

These Onion Parmesan Crisps are pure savory magic, transforming humble sliced sweet onions and melted cheese into the ultimate irresistible, golden-brown snack! Packed with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and a kick of red pepper, they’re irresistibly crispy, impossibly easy, and guaranteed to vanish off the pan in seconds.

Delicate branzino fillets baked and topped with a bright citrus gremolata of lemon, orange, and fresh herbs. An elegant, light main course worthy of a French chef guest.

A vibrant brunch frittata loaded with asparagus, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese, and fresh herbs. Finished under the broiler for a golden top and served straight from the skillet.