About Tessa Kiros

Born to a Finnish mother and a Greek-Cypriot father, Tessa Kiros grew up learning firsthand of the world’s diverse cultures and traditions. She’s worked in restaurants in Sydney, Athens, Mexico, and London. Kiros is the author of more than half a dozen cookbooks, including her most recent title, Recipes and Dreams from an Italian Life. She lives in Tuscany with her husband and two daughters.@tessakiros

A white bowl of Vietnamese bun bo with bowls of lime, peanuts, chili, basil, and vermicelli noodles on the side.

Vietnamese-Style Bun Bo

Translated literally as rice noodles and beef, bun bo is a Vietnamese classic in which what you’re promised is what you get…and a heck of a lot more given its layers of nuanced complexity.

A white oval platter holding a whole roast duck with clementines scattered around it.

Roast Duck with Clementines

This is essentially orange-glazed duck with the crispiest skin you’ve ever experienced. Surprisingly straightforward to make. And even easier to accept the accolades for afterward.

An enamel-coated pot filled with strawberry jam and a spoon resting on top.

Strawberry Jam

This quick refrigerator jam doesn’t require canning and processing and preserving. It just requires strawberries, sugar, a pot, and a fridge.

A jar of celery marmalade with a spoon in it and several types of cheese in the background

Celery Marmalade

Weird, we know. But it uses up all that leftover celery languishing in your veggie bin. And it goes SPECTACULARLY with cheese. You’re welcome.

A champagne glass of Sgroppino, also called Lemon Chill, on a blue plate

Sgroppino ~ Lemon Chill

This Italian sipper swirls together vodka, Prosecco, and lemon sorbet to ridiculously satiating, giggle-inducing effect.

A glass filled with ouzo sorbet in a small china dish with a spoon resting beside it.

Ouzo Sorbet

This brash and boozy sorbet is just what we crave come summer. It’s sorta the sorbet equivalent of an after-dinner digestif. Opa!

A few dollops of cranberry sorbet in a white porcelain bowl.

Cranberry Sorbet

This pretty little number is sweet and tart and sassy enough to hold its own against all manner of menus, whether holiday or more humdrum.

A white bowl filled with seven Finnish meatballs, sauce, and topped with lingonberry jam.

Finnish Meatballs

Similar to Swedish meatballs, these Finnish balls are made with pork and are served in a sour cream sauce and are topped with tart preserves.