Baby arugula, boiled corn, bell pepper, and grape tomatoes are tossed in a creamy cilantro-lime dressing made with grapeseed oil and sour cream. This bright, summery salad adds a cool, fresh contrast to a spread of ribs and hearty indoor-campfire fare.

A spice cake mix is layered with a ricotta-mascarpone filling that magically switches positions during baking, then topped with a pumpkin spice pudding-mascarpone frosting. This easy yet impressive cake captures all the warm spice flavors of fall and makes a delightful alternative to traditional pumpkin pie.

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.

Brisket slow-cooked for six hours with onion soup mix until meltingly tender is piled onto potato buns and drizzled with a tangy Alabama-style white barbecue sauce made from mayo and vinegar. These rich, fork-tender sliders are an ideal make-ahead main for outdoor entertaining, with the creamy white sauce adding a Southern twist that cuts through the beef's richness.

Crispy Marsala wine shells deep-fried to golden perfection, filled with sweetened ricotta studded with orange zest and shaved bittersweet chocolate. An authentic Italian pastry that's the crowning jewel of any Little Italy feast.

Lump crabmeat bound with breadcrumbs, green onions, lemon zest, Worcestershire, and seafood seasoning is formed into cakes, pan-fried in butter until golden, and served over wilted spinach with a tangy cocktail remoulade. These East Coast-style crab cakes let the sweet, delicate crab shine through with just enough seasoning to enhance every bite.

Baked russet potato halves scooped, re-crisped, and drizzled with a rich beer-Cheddar cheese sauce, then topped with bacon and scallions. A loaded, pub-style snack built for friendly competition and sibling rivalry.

A custardy bread pudding made with rich challah and spiked with limoncello liqueur. A warm, comforting dessert with a citrusy Italian twist.

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.

Val and Sophie make a fun, melty, cheese-y twist on the old-school ham and cheese sandwich.