Pork butt is seasoned with cumin and ancho chile, then pressure-cooked in an Instant Pot with beer, orange juice, and lime juice until fall-apart tender, shredded and served with warm tortillas. The Instant Pot transforms a traditionally hours-long braise into a quick-cook weeknight reality without sacrificing any of the rich, citrusy pork flavor.

Dried apricots simmered in apricot nectar are cooled and steeped with bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters in a French press, then plunged and served over ice. This fruit-infused twist on the classic Manhattan is a sophisticated, party-ready cocktail that makes a memorable start to any celebration.

A decadent layered cake starting with chocolate cake batter topped with a creamy mascarpone-ricotta filling that magically swaps layers as it bakes. Finished with a rich cocoa-mascarpone frosting.

Buttery slice-and-bake cookies studded with dried cherries and a subtle kick of white pepper, shaped into logs and chilled overnight before slicing. A surprising sweet-spicy combination that makes for an unexpected and delightful wine club dessert.

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.

Cumin-rubbed pork shoulder slow-cooked for six hours until tender, shredded and layered with ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on pressed Cuban bread. A hearty, crispy-outside, melty-inside sandwich that brings the authentic flavors of a Cuban cafe right to your kitchen.

Bring the heat to your next backyard hangout with Valerie’s ultimate sweet-and-spicy summer dish featuring perfectly seared scallops over a bed of fresh, snappy corn. It’s a quick, cast-iron masterpiece that delivers a burst of seasonal flavor and just the right amount of chili-crisp kick!

A festive holiday salad of mixed greens and romaine tossed in a creamy Champagne vinaigrette. Topped with cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, pine nuts, and sliced basil.

A deeply flavorful Louisiana gumbo built on a dark roux with andouille and smoked sausage, okra, tomatoes, and shredded rotisserie chicken. Served over rice with scallions and hot sauce.

A whole chicken is brined in buttermilk and hot sauce, coated in seasoned panko breadcrumbs, and oven-baked at 425 degrees on a wire rack until golden and shatteringly crisp without any frying. This clever technique delivers all the crunch and juiciness of classic fried chicken with far less mess and a fraction of the oil.