Recipe courtesy of Valerie Bertinelli Hearty kale, carrots, radishes, cucumbers, and peppers are tossed in a creamy peanut butter-vinegar-honey-sesame vinaigrette and topped with crispy roasted garbanzo beans and crunchy peanuts. This nutrient-packed salad travels well and eats like a meal, making it an ideal make-ahead lunch for road trips or busy days.

Sugar and corn syrup are cooked to hard-crack stage, then mixed with butter, baking soda, vanilla paste, fennel, and pistachios, spread thin, and finished with orange zest and flaky sea salt. This elegant, shattering brittle balances sweet caramel crunch with savory salt and aromatic fennel for a sophisticated after-dinner confection.

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!

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.

A playful dessert sundae drizzled with homemade chocolate sauce and a splash of creme de menthe syrup. Topped with fresh raspberries for a refreshing after-dinner treat.

Chicken bones are simmered low and slow for an hour and a half with aromatic vegetables, peppercorns, and bay leaves, then strained into a clear, golden broth. This foundational kitchen staple delivers a depth of flavor that no store-bought version can match, serving as the backbone for soups, sauces, and braises.

Boxed chocolate cake mix is elevated with peppermint extract and a hidden layer of ricotta-mascarpone cheesecake baked right inside, then topped with a glossy mint chocolate ganache. This indulgent, semi-homemade cake delivers a cool, creamy mint surprise in every slice and proves that starting with a box mix can still yield a show-stopping dessert.

Crunchy homemade granola made with oats, chopped hazelnuts, and a honey glaze. A versatile recipe great for breakfast, snacking, or as a gift.

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

Crispy grated potato waffles seasoned with homemade everything bagel spice, topped with smoked salmon, creme fraiche, capers, and dill. A clever brunch-meets-dinner creation that captures all the flavors of a New York bagel spread.