Recipes

Featured Recipes

Corn and Cauliflower Sauteed in Bourbon Butter

Fresh corn and cauliflower florets sauteed in a homemade bourbon-infused butter. A unique side dish that bridges Italian and Southern cooking.

Grasshopper Icebox Pie

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.

Horseradish Potato Salad

Boiled potatoes are dressed while still hot with a punchy mayo-horseradish-Dijon dressing seasoned with celery salt and cayenne, then finished with chopped hard-boiled eggs and parsley. This bold, zesty potato salad packs more personality than the usual picnic version and pairs especially well with rich, smoky brisket.

Spicy Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread

Refrigerated biscuit dough is pulled apart, stuffed with mozzarella, rolled into balls, arranged in a cast-iron skillet, and baked with a scallion-garlic-red pepper butter drizzled over the top. This gooey, shareable pull-apart bread is an irresistible spicy snack that pairs perfectly with game day gatherings or a bowl of hearty chili.

Roasted Pork Sliders

Pork loin is seared, then roasted with onions, pineapple, and a coconut milk-BBQ sauce until tender and caramelized, and served on slider buns topped with a crunchy cabbage slaw dressed in spicy mayo. These island-inspired sliders balance sweet, smoky, and tangy flavors in every handheld bite, making them a luau party essential.

Salmon Summer Rolls

Val and Sophie turn a simple leftover salmon into a fresh Mediterranean-meets-Pacific masterpiece packed with snap peas, avocado, and a garden's worth of herbs. They are the ultimate "no-cook" solution for a light, sophisticated lunch that feels like a total upgrade.

Chocolate-Mint Love Cake with Mint Ganache

Boxed chocolate cake mix is elevated with peppermint extract and a hidden layer of ricotta-mascarpone cheesecake baked right inside, then topped with a glossy mint chocolate ganache. This indulgent, semi-homemade cake delivers a cool, creamy mint surprise in every slice and proves that starting with a box mix can still yield a show-stopping dessert.

Creamy Jalapeno Mac and Cheese

Stovetop macaroni and cheese made with Cheddar and processed cheese for maximum creaminess, loaded with jalapenos and topped with toasted panko and cilantro. A spicy, indulgent comfort food classic that turns up the heat for a birthday feast worth remembering.

Blueberry Tart

A buttery shortbread tart shell filled with fresh blueberries in a light glaze. An elegant and not-too-sweet dessert perfect for a dinner party.

Cubano Salad

Crisp lettuce, radishes, tomatoes, onions, and creamy avocado tossed in a tangy vinaigrette for a fresh, vibrant side. A light, crunchy salad that balances the richness of a Cuban comfort food menu. I

Other Ingredients and Directions

Kale Salad with Peanut Vinaigrette

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.

Valerie’s Shakin' Chicken

These Shakin’ Chicken cutlets are my go-to for a crispy, flavorful dinner that’s easy to make ahead and keep in the freezer. Cook them whenever you need a quick, comforting meal — especially perfect topped with a fresh, lemony arugula salad.

Tropical Sundae with Guava Coulis and Banana Chips

Homemade banana chips baked low and slow at 250 degrees for two hours, served over ice cream drizzled with a warm guava jelly coulis. A tropical, island-inspired dessert that ends a Cuban-style meal on a sweet, sunny note.

Grapefruitini

Grapefruit juice and lemon vodka shaken with pomegranate juice and served in a glass rimmed with grapefruit-zest sugar. A tart, rosy cocktail that shakes off the travel blues and welcomes you home in style.

Lemon-Basil Granita

A light, icy dessert made from sugar syrup steeped with fresh basil and brightened with lemon juice. A refreshing palate cleanser that caps off a summer barbecue without breaking the bank.

Spiced Pumpkin Mocha

Homemade pumpkin-chocolate syrup stirred into espresso and hot milk, then topped with a cloud of whipped cream. A cozy, cafe-worthy drink that warms you from the inside out on crisp autumn mornings.

Salted Hazelnut Toffee

Buttery toffee studded with toasted hazelnuts and finished with flaky sea salt. A sweet-salty confection perfect for gifting to neighbors.

Warmed and Spiced Tortilla Chips

Store-bought tortilla chips spritzed with olive oil and dusted with chile-lime Tajin seasoning, then warmed in the oven. A dead-simple upgrade that makes everyday chips taste homemade.

Roasted Asparagus and Mushrooms with Chile-Lemon Salt

Asparagus and cremini mushrooms roasted until caramelized and finished with a homemade chile-lemon salt. A simple side dish elevated with a bright, spicy kick.