Crisp romaine and nutty red quinoa are arranged with rows of bacon, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, avocado, and watermelon radish, then drizzled with a creamy food processor blue cheese dressing. This West Coast spin on the classic Cobb adds wholesome quinoa and striking watermelon radish for a hearty, colorful salad that eats like a full meal.

Fresh mint, lime, and grapefruit zest muddled together with rum and topped with club soda for a citrus-forward twist on the classic mojito. A bright, refreshing cocktail that pairs perfectly with a Cuban-inspired spread.

This one came from one of her mom's old recipe boxes - and Val has no idea where her mom found it, whether it came from a magazine or whether she invented it herself. But it's so good that it didn't matter. Vanilla wafers pulsed into fine crumbs, folded into a warm semisweet chocolate mixture with corn syrup, vanilla, evaporated milk, and powdered sugar, then rolled into walnut-coated nuggets and chilled until set. They look like little truffles, they taste like something between a no-bake cookie and a candy, and they freeze beautifully - which means you make the batch once and pull one out whenever the craving hits. Dessert for one for the next 30 days.

A warming Irish coffee made with brown sugar, Irish whiskey, and topped with fresh whipped cream. The perfect after-dinner drink for a cozy Sunday evening.

Fresh lemon juice and simple syrup are churned in an ice cream machine until smooth, then scooped into hollowed-out frozen lemon halves and garnished with sugared lemon zest. This palate-cleansing sorbet served in its own natural cup makes a beautiful, refreshing finale to a rich French-inspired meal.

A chocolate hybrid treat that's half scone, half muffin — tender, rich, and cocoa-forward. A sweet Valentine's morning surprise.

A savory twist on Italian panna cotta infused with horseradish and Dijon mustard. A unique and sophisticated accompaniment to beef tenderloin.

A gluten-free pizza made with a crispy cauliflower crust topped with mozzarella, marinara, and fresh basil. A lighter take on pizza night that doesn't sacrifice flavor.

Fresh mixed berries macerated in chilled limoncello and garnished with ribbons of fresh basil. A light, boozy dessert that comes together in minutes.

A sophisticated Manhattan cocktail made with homemade butter-infused bourbon, sweet vermouth, and spiced bitters. A rich, velvety twist on the classic cocktail.