Brenda Carleton

An easy, foolproof, ever so slightly sweet corn bread that comes together as quickly as it disappears. Just watch it.

Yeah, watermelon juice dripping off your elbow is a swell thing. So is this incomparably elegant yet easy salad that melds sweet and heat.

Words sort of elude us when we attempt to describe just how stunning and scrumptious we consider this dish. Just...wow.

Shrimp and longnecks. There's little else a summer shindig requires, except perhaps these eminently easy dips.

An unexpected vinaigrette of sorts with a distinctly Asian-inspired vibe that takes its smooth, smooth heat from ginger and chile. But don't try this on salads.

Irresistible. That's what we think of this array of deviled eggs, which come in classic, smoked salmon, and lightly truffled. Better than mom's.

These one-bite indulgences, mini-sticky rolls of sorts, are the fastest way we can think to get a caramel-y, buttery, nutty sticky bun fix. Are you in?

These Spanish-inflected, heart-achingly outstanding chicken wings are our latest lazy weeknight crush.

A United Nations of flavor adorn this Spanish pizza with chorizo and Manchego mingling with mozzarella and poblano chiles.

Everyday carrots turn shyly sophisticated when infused with flavor and coaxed to tenderness in this no-hassle side dish.

So long, store-bought applesauce. Tuck into your own fuss-free, artisanal applesauce that's a little sweet, a little spicy, and as smooth or as chunky as you please.

For this boozy cocktail, bourbon, maple syrup, and lemon juice are shaken and served with a cinnamon stick garnish. Autumn sipping, anyone?

No wallflower, this outstanding salad teams sweet grilled radicchio with boldly pungent Gorgonzola and a familiar tangy balsamic vinaigrette.

No more helplessly watching as the chops you toss on the grill toughen into leathery dryness. This flawless technique cooks the pork loin whole and slices it AFTER grilling.

These lamb chops have a nifty marinade that doubles as a finishing sauce. It's your newest trick at putting dinner on the table pronto.

With honey, bay, rosemary, thyme, garlic, and parsley, this brine from chef Thomas Keller lends unspeakable amounts of flavor to pork.

Got ham? This French classic typically draws on duck confit but is just as sublime when used to disguise leftover ham.

Mashed potatoes collide with root vegetables to create a deeply flavored yet satisfyingly healthy side dish.

More savory than sweet, these shortbread go magnificently with booze of any sorts, from the most genteel of cocktails to your go-to wine from the corner store.

A rustic Italian-inspired cake made with the ever-so-slight coarseness of semolina in contrast to the tender sweetness of grapes.