Imagine if a classic Italian dinner and a busy Tuesday had a very delicious baby. That’s this Chicken Milanese-ish. It’s the ultimate "fancy-casual" meal: sophisticated enough to impress a date, but simple enough to make while you’re still wearing your favorite sweatpants.

A chocolate wafer cookie crust is layered with a rich chocolate-coconut oil-creme de menthe ganache, then filled with a fluffy creme de menthe whipped cream and frozen until set. This cool, minty, no-bake icebox pie is the perfect refreshing finish to a fiery meal, with layers of chocolate and mint in every frozen slice.

Recipe courtesy of Valerie Bertinelli Boiled lima beans and corn are tossed with golden sauteed onions and plum tomatoes in a bright cider vinegar dressing seasoned with parsley, sage, and nutmeg. This hearty, rustic salad celebrates classic American harvest ingredients and makes a wonderful Thanksgiving side dish.

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.

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.

Crisp jicama, red onion, and juicy orange segments are tossed in a lime vinaigrette seasoned with coriander and cumin, then topped with creamy avocado and fresh cilantro. This refreshing, crunchy salad provides a bright, cooling contrast to the rich tamales and spiced dishes of a Mexican feast.

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.

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.

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

Boiled sweet potato wedges seasoned with chili powder and grilled until beautifully charred. A smoky, slightly sweet side dish that rounds out a summer grilling menu with ease.