Black beans are simmered with onion, garlic, cumin, chipotle chile powder, cayenne, green chiles, and vegetable broth until thick and deeply seasoned, then topped with fresh cilantro and crumbled Cotija. These smoky, spicy beans are an essential side for any taco spread, adding hearty substance to the SoCal-style feast.

Chicken wings baked at high heat are tossed in a tequila-lime-agave sauce and broiled until crisp, then served with a cool, spicy avocado crema for dipping. These sticky, tangy wings with their creamy dipping sauce are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any fiesta-themed party.

Recipe courtesy of Valerie Bertinelli Lime juice, orange liqueur, and ginger beer are poured over ice, topped with floated lime wheels and a splash of overproof rum that is briefly set aflame, then finished with a squeeze of roasted lime. This dramatic, fire-topped cocktail puts a bold, citrusy spin on the classic Dark 'n' Stormy and delivers a show-stopping moment at any spicy-themed party.

Sweet jumbo lump crab is gently bound with breadcrumbs, lemon zest, Worcestershire, and Old Bay, then pan-fried in butter until golden and served with a tangy creme fraiche-mustard dipping sauce. These bite-sized crab cakes make a refined appetizer that sets a celebratory tone for the party.

Vanilla ice cream is blended with milk, dark rum, and bourbon until thick and creamy, then poured into glasses and topped with freshly grated nutmeg. This shortcut eggnog skips the egg-tempering fuss entirely, delivering a rich, boozy, holiday-ready drink in under five minutes.

Yellow cake baked in a jelly roll pan is topped with a layer of melted peanut butter followed by melted chocolate chips, then cooled and cut into rich, candy bar-like squares. These no-fuss sheet cakes deliver an irresistible chocolate-peanut butter combination with minimal effort and maximum crowd appeal.

Thick cauliflower steaks roasted until golden and topped with toasted pine nuts, golden raisins, and butter. A hearty vegetable side dish with sweet and savory contrast.

A hearty hash made with leftover slow-cooked beef and crispy Yukon gold potatoes. The perfect way to repurpose game day leftovers into a satisfying meal.

Sugar and corn syrup are cooked to hard-crack stage, then mixed with butter, baking soda, vanilla paste, fennel, and pistachios, spread thin, and finished with orange zest and flaky sea salt. This elegant, shattering brittle balances sweet caramel crunch with savory salt and aromatic fennel for a sophisticated after-dinner confection.

In this can’t miss dessert for one Val’s giving a sweet and sour twist to the viral Dot Cake trend by preparing a lemon mug cake right in the microwave. After letting it cool, it’s layered with tangy lemon curd, cream cheese frosting, and bright yellow sprinkles before chilling it until it is perfectly set. Give it a try - you’ll thank yourself later.