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.

Recipe courtesy of Valerie Bertinelli Hearty kale, carrots, radishes, cucumbers, and peppers are tossed in a creamy peanut butter-vinegar-honey-sesame vinaigrette and topped with crispy roasted garbanzo beans and crunchy peanuts. This nutrient-packed salad travels well and eats like a meal, making it an ideal make-ahead lunch for road trips or busy days.

Precision-cut strips of red-tinted and chocolate doughs are carefully assembled into a checkerboard brick, chilled, sliced, and baked into striking two-toned cookies. These eye-catching cookies cleverly echo the game night theme with their built-in board game pattern.

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.

Equal parts bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Aperol, and fresh grapefruit juice are shaken together and strained into a coupe glass. This perfectly balanced modern classic cocktail delivers bittersweet, citrusy complexity in a deceptively simple equal-parts formula.

Flatbread pizzas topped with a vibrant Tuscan kale pesto and melted fontina cheese, finished with wine-and-chile shrimp scampi. A creative, dinner-party-worthy pizza that brings together earthy greens and succulent shrimp for an unforgettable social evening.

A sharp Cheddar dough spiked with cayenne, paprika, and garlic powder is twisted into playful pretzel shapes, egg-washed for shine, and baked at 375°F until golden and flaky. These savory, cheese-packed twists are the ideal poker night snack for nibbling between hands.

A classic Roman misticanza of mixed bitter greens including chicory, escarole, endive, frisee, and radicchio is tossed with fresh herbs and radishes in a shallot-red wine vinaigrette. This sophisticated salad provides an elegant, palate-cleansing start to a special birthday dinner.

A rustic French baked custard studded with fresh apricots and dusted with powdered sugar. An elegant yet effortless dessert perfect for a lazy Sunday.

Another one of Val's "baguette snacks" is the ultimate quick-fix, piling crisp toasted baguette slices high with savory salami, tangy olive salad, and sweet roasted red peppers. It’s a bite-sized, single-serve twist on a classic New Orleans muffuletta that delivers big, bold flavors with zero fuss!