Decorate a batch (or two) of cupcakes with pig, mouse, monkey, or lion faces, or make a few of each animal for a sweet set. You can use most any cupcake flavor for these creatures; try banana-pecan cupcakes (page 41; nuts can be omitted) or roasted banana cupcakes (page 141) for the monkeys. Before adding the facial features, lightly mark the placement in the frosting with a round cookie cutter (or use a skewer or toothpick).
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
Crispy tots topped with savory-sweet sauce, mayonnaise, furikake, scallion, and katsuobushi.
Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.
Tender, juicy chicken skewers are possible in the oven—especially when roasted alongside spiced chickpeas and finished with fresh tomatoes and salty feta.
An extra-silky filling (no water bath needed!) and a smooth sour cream topping make this the ultimate cheesecake.
You’ll want to put this creamy (but dairy-free) green sauce on everything and it’s particularly sublime under crispy-skinned salmon.