John Velek

Cold outside? Baby, come inside where there's beef slowly braising in a heady mix of Italian red wine, garlic, tomatoes, thyme, and rosemary.

Salmon mousse pinwheels are an elegant way to kick off a tea, cocktail party, or dinner. The pinwheels can be made ahead and sliced just before serving.

This spicy tomato soup gets its heat from Thai Sriracha sauce and depth from blue cheese. San Marzano tomatoes are used, so the soup can be made anytime.

A little spicy, salty, and sweet and altogether satisfying. A weeknight salvation when you need dinner pronto but you want something that's not predictable or boring.

A winter classic made with navy beans, a ham hock, and a handful of pantry ingredients that somehow meld together into a sum that's far, far superlative to its parts.