Fran Brennan, Recipe Tester

Summer at its simplest, not to mention it’s most splendid, seeing as how five minutes of effort yields a meal that rivals round-trip tickets to Italy.

• 20 M
• 50 M
• 33

Essentially vodka infused with a sprig from your Christmas tree, this celebratory cocktail both starts and stops conversations at parties. The perfect gift for the person who has everything.

• Quick Glance
• 5 M
• 5 M
• 20

Although these paletas are Mexican through and through, the melding of yogurt, fruit, and honey is luscious in any language.

• Quick Glance
• 25 M
• 1 H, 5 M
• 12

An inspired take on a classic, this simple, sassy granola recipe is yours to follow to the letter or tweak to your (or your most picky family member’s) content.

• Quick Glance
• 15 M
• 55 M
• 13

Flaunting an ever-practical, always-stunning, goes-with-anything white, this coconut cake glams up holidays, dinner parties, bridal showers, weddings, birthdays, and Tuesday nights.

• 25 M
• 1 H, 15 M
• 23

This Southern creation is a simple affair. Just eggs, butter, sugar, and, of course, lemon, it’s a pleasantly homey dessert, perfect for any afternoon or occasion.

• Quick Glance
• 10 M
• 55 M
• 12

This salad recipe–a great segue between winter and spring–is filled with cubes of roasted sweet potatoes, wedges of onions, and a sprinkling of feta on top of earthy spinach.

• 10 M
• 1 H, 15 M
• 13

These little lovelies contain sugar and spice and everything nice–including an oh-so-buttery oat streusel and a batter so enticing you’d never, ever guess it’s good for you.

• 20 M
• 55 M
• 14

A blur of sweet, smoky, creamy goodness, this tartine of sourdough, a schmear of blue cheese, and a dribble of honey makes basic bruschetta seem humdrum.

• 10 M
• 15 M
• 1

As buttery and airy as brioche but with a far weightier responsibility than its breakfast chum, challah ensures a sweet new year in Jewish tradition. We’ll break bread to that.

• 30 M
• 3 H, 15 M
• 14

When the vinegar is splashed to the pan of chicken, magic occurs. The vinegar deglazes the brown bits and permeates the chicken with a sweet/sour flavor.

• 45 M
• 1 H, 5 M
• 17

Bread that’s homemade, healthful, and has no need for kneading? Believe it. All that’s left to do is let this rugged loaf bake while you bask in the impending goodness.

• 30 M
• 1 H, 30 M
• 28