Crispy French bread rolls spread with tarragon-cornichon mayo and filled with leftover beef bourguignon, lettuce, and tomato.

Pinto beans simmered with cumin, coriander, and chipotle, mashed to a thick paste with some texture left for body, and finished with fresh lime. A flavorful, from-scratch staple that outshines any canned version and anchors the whole So-Cal menu.

Fusilli pasta and tender broccoli florets tossed with generous amounts of garlic sauteed in olive oil and butter, finished with Parmigiano-Reggiano. A simple, comforting pasta dish that's one of Wolfie's all-time favorites.

Oven-roasted tomatoes, corn, poblano, onion, and garlic pulsed with cilantro, jalapeno, and spices, with fresh corn kernels stirred in for texture. A chunky, smoky-sweet salsa with incredible depth of flavor that puts store-bought jars to shame.

Basmati rice simmered with dried cranberries in chicken broth, then folded with toasted almonds and fresh parsley. A festive, jeweled side dish that bridges traditions and ties together any blended holiday menu.

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.

Eight varieties of summer vegetables are grilled until smoky and tender and served alongside a creamy dip made from grilled avocado, yogurt, and roasted garlic with za'atar-seasoned grilled pita on the side. This colorful, shareable platter celebrates the peak of summer produce and gives guests a healthy, satisfying option at the center of any patio party spread.

Recipe courtesy of Valerie Bertinelli A whole side of salmon is spread with a mustard-honey-mayonnaise mixture, coated in seasoned panko breadcrumbs, and roasted at 400 degrees until the crust is golden and the fish is perfectly flaky. This impressive, single-platter entree feeds a crowd beautifully and makes an elegant centerpiece for a dinner party with minimal hands-on effort.

Thick-sliced ripe tomatoes and English cucumber with red onion in a balsamic vinaigrette, crowned with shatteringly crispy baked pancetta. A fresh summer salad given a salty, savory crunch from its Italian bacon topping.

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.