ready in about 45 minutes
You might need to buy:
  • grated Parmesan cheese
  • chopped chives
  • chopped garlic
serves 18
You might need to buy:
  • baking powder
  • baking soda
  • granulated sugar
  • large eggs
  • vanilla extract
  • grated lemon rind
  • low-fat buttermilk
  • powdered sugar

A touch of butter adds rich, luxurious flavor to the meringue, but admittedly, it also deflates it a bit. For a fluffy, snow-white cap, omit the butter.

serves 24
You might need to buy:
  • Cupcakes:
  • baking soda
  • baking powder
  • sugar
  • large egg yolks
  • vanilla extract
  • whole buttermilk
  • large egg whites
  • cream of tartar Baking spray with flour
  • Frosting:
  • sugar
  • water
  • vanilla bean
  • large egg whites
  • cream of tartar
serves 10
You might need to buy:
  • large egg whites
  • sugar
  • vanilla extract
  • ground cardamom
  • flaked sweetened coconut
serves 10
You might need to buy:
  • olive oil
  • chopped yellow onion
  • canola mayonnaise
  • finely chopped fresh chives 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • kosher salt
serves 10
You might need to buy:
  • canola oil
  • finely chopped shallots
  • apple cider
  • golden raisins
  • brown sugar
  • cider vinegar
  • kosher salt
ready in about 45 minutes; serves 60
You might need to buy:
  • •1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • •1/4 tsp baking soda
  • •1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • •1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • •1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • •1 tsp lemon zest
  • •1 large egg
  • •1/2 cup sour cream
  • •2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • •2 Tbsp light corn syrup
  • •3 Tbsp whole milk
  • •3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa
ready in about an hour and 50 minutes; serves 72
You might need to buy:
  • •1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • •1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • •1 tsp baking powder
  • •1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • •3/4 cup sugar
  • •2 large eggs
  • •6 Tbsp heavy cream
ready in about 25 minutes; serves 6
You might need to buy:
  • Salad
  • walnut halves
  • sugar
  • arugula
  • sweetened dried cranberries
  • crumbled blue cheese
  • Dressing
  • raspberry-flavored or traditional balsamic vinegar
  • honey-Dijon mustard
  • black pepper
  • extra virgin olive oil
ready in about 25 minutes; serves 30
You might need to buy:
  • honey
  • white-wine or cider vinegar
  • each of salt and pepper