Pasta shells in a creamy mushroom and white cheddar sauce with Italian tuna, baked under a crunchy layer of crumbled potato chips. A nostalgic comfort food casserole elevated with quality ingredients.

Classic peanut butter cookies are decorated with white candy melts, marshmallow slices, mini chocolate chips, peanut butter cup hats, and colorful sprinkles to look like adorable melted snowmen. These playful, whimsical cookies are a guaranteed hit at holiday cookie swaps and a fun baking project for kids and adults alike.

Dried chiles are toasted, rehydrated, and pureed with garlic, onion, oregano, and cumin to make a rich red sauce for simmered and shredded chicken, which is wrapped in fluffy lard-beaten masa dough, folded into corn husks, and steamed until tender. These authentic homemade tamales are a labor of love that brings family and friends together around a deeply flavorful Mexican tradition.

Peppery arugula topped with quick-pickled red onions and dressed in a bright Champagne vinaigrette. A refined salad that pairs beautifully with hearty mains.

A rich, two-layer chocolate cake spiked with chipotle and cinnamon, frosted with tangy cream cheese frosting and dusted with cocoa. A dramatic birthday cake with a spicy Mexican chocolate twist that makes the guest of honor feel truly celebrated.

Jumbo shrimp stuffed with fresh jalapeno strips and wrapped in bacon, pan-cooked until crisp and served with a homemade cherry cola ba

Cranberry juice, orange vodka, and spiced-thyme simple syrup topped with prosecco, served with a stunning cranberry Bundt ice ring. A sparkling, show-stopping party punch that sets the tone for a festive holiday celebration.

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.

A comforting shepherd's pie with braised lamb, root vegetables, and a golden mashed potato crust. The ultimate neighborly casserole for cold-weather sharing.

Oatmeal-raisin cookies made with rendered chicken fat (schmaltz) and butter are spiced with cinnamon and cloves, then chilled for at least an hour before baking to produce an exceptionally chewy, rich texture. These unexpected cookies showcase how schmaltz adds a savory depth that elevates a familiar classic into something wholly original.