Melissa Moran, Recipe Tester

Sweet. Spicy. Earthy. And a touch puckery. When did anything–or anyone–at your table boast such character? Certain to compensate for your duller dinner invitees.

Chewy, gooey, and chocolatey, these crackly topped brownies buried beneath slightly charred marshmallow are the ideal balance of cakey, fudgy, and nostalgia-inducing messiness.

Sure, you could traipse to a bakery and buy brioche rather than make them yourself. But where’s the satisfaction in that?

A simple, silken rice porridge that’s certain to soothe and salve the soul—especially those souls afflicted with a sore throat or a queasy tummy.

Whether you have unripe berries, overripe berries, or an abundance of the season’s most fragrant berries, say hello to your sweetly sticky solution.

Made from just three ingredients, this classic flan is ridiculously easy to toss together. A tangy, rich, creamy coda to a luxe dinner or a simple brunch.

Rabe. Raab. Rapini. Call it what you will, but it’s never better than when jumbled with sautéed garlic and crisped potatoes.

This may seem an improbable melding of short ribs and anchos and red wine. Authentic Mexican? Nah. Worth making? Heck yeah.

A sesame-seeded bun, a beguilingly spiced burger, and chunky potato wedges with mayo for dipping and dousing. Napkins, please.

This quickie hollandaise has all the luxuriant loveliness of the classic sauce yet comes together in just five minutes. Ideal for entertaining. Or the unabashedly lazy.