Merlyn Cafaro, Recipe Tester

A more exotic take on the traditional thumbprint, the addition of fig jam takes these beauties to an even better place. Sweet, warm, and gorgeous.

Here’s another recipe for those of you that desire a higher crust to filling ratio. Tassies are really just tiny pecan pies, y’all.

Breakfast, snack, dessert–blueberry coffee cake does all that and more. Full of berries and topped with sweet glaze, you’re going to love it.

Elegant yet exceedingly simple, this white wine linguine beguiles with its rich, silken flavor despite the absence of cream and a touch of butter.

Sam Sifton’s recipe for sloppy Joes is quick and, honestly, quite superb. Full of flavor and just as messy as you remember. And just as tasty.

Jumble together pasta, tomatoes, eggplant, ooey gooey mozzarella, and a splash of cream in just 35 minutes. Jamie Oliver’s quick pasta dinner also makes a mean casserole.

Traditional in Turkey, these zucchini fritters, made with feta and dill, put to use the late-summer abundance of zucchini.

A simple, rustic, and flavorful vegetarian dinner that only takes a handful of ingredients and 45 minutes. Also, it tastes really fantastic. What’s not to love?

A refreshing finish to dinner, or just to cleanse your palate, this sparkling sorbet is easy and utterly delish.

Bet you already have everything you need for these brownies in your house. Which is a very good thing. (Also sorta a very dangerous thing.)