Salty pancetta, sweet-tart apples and just a touch of fresh, grassy parsley combine to give this simple and quick side a flavor that is much greater than the sum of its parts. GoldRush, a cross with Golden Delicious, may have the same smooth, wax-free appearance of it’s parent, but the flesh inside is wonderfully crisp, with beautifully balanced sweetness and acidity and complex spiced notes.

Fresh greens and earthy, funky mushrooms are folded into eggs and then slathered with a rich, soy sauce gravy for this farmers market-inspired take on a Chinese takeout classic.

How do you top the deliciousness of caramelized Brussels sprouts? Try sweet and sour fish sauce or a dill mayonnaise. Roasting Brussels sprouts brings out the natural sweetness balancing any of the mustardy flavors in this bit-sized cabbage relative. Eat them hot out of the oven on their own or make them even more craveable with these two sauces.

Strawberry, chive and ricotta pasta sounds weird, but tastes delicious. The acidity in fresh strawberries balances rich pasta and ricotta cheese. Tried prosciutto delivers a crispy hit of sweet, salty pork while chives keep it fresh. Trust me, serve this once and you’ll be making it again and again.

The show-stopping cranberry jello mold gets a modern update with the tannic-sweet flavor of pomegranate, earthy, toasted black walnuts and fresh cranberry. Making your own jello with pomegranate juice and beef gelatin may seem over the top but it’s quick, easy and delivers an impressive appearance and delicate texture.

Crisp, gooey, rich and comforting, this grilled cheese balances sweet-tart apples, earthy chives, sharp cheddar and butter, toasted bread.

Zucchini and corn pancakes - think latkes - are sweet and savory, crisp on the outside and creamy inside. The refreshing cilantro crema perfectly balances the warm, summery flavors of the pancakes.

Finely sliced asparagus and roughly chopped herbs keep this savory and fresh tasting. With the complete proteins in quinoa, its the perfect take-to-work lunch or make-ahead light spring supper. Cook the quinoa ahead of time and the rest of the salad is done in 10-15 minutes!

This Mediterranean-inspired chicken, lemon and egg soup is both rich and bright-tasting. It’s hearty enough to enjoy for lunch after a morning spent playing out in the snow, while the lemon and spinach will find you still enjoying it as the first daffodils push out of the ground.

This quick and easy chile is hearty enough to eat on it's own with the rich pumpkin, spicy sausage and pleasantly bitter bite of kale. Tomato paste, a dried chile and ground cumin add wonderful depth.

Steamed cubes of pumpkin replace potato in this hearty fall cook-out inspired salad with a sweet tart Sherry Maple vinaigrette, fruity Castelvetrano olives and sharp capers.

Buttery Bartlett-style pears blend beautifully with Piccata - a sauce of butter, capers and lemon - served over crisp, pan fried chicken paillards.. This is the time to reach for those super-tender pears that have a couple of bruises on them. They'll make the smoothest sauce.

Rich, spicy and fresh, this is everything you’ve wanted in a tomato soup. Coconut cream, Panang curry and cilantro add summery, Thai flavors that still pair deliciously with your crispy, buttery grilled cheese sandwich.

Sweet peaches, rich pork sausage and sharp cheddar cheese melts between tortillas for a not-so-traditional take on this Mexican snack. Chinese 5 spice powder and soy sauce offer a subtle, unexpected note to this quick, fresh, delicious summer snacks. Perfect party food!

Milk lightly infused with mint adds a cool, fresh twist to a classic mug of hot chocolate. Add rum for an adult treat!. This is loaded with fat and calories and that makes it taste good. If you need something lighter go ahead and mull some apple cider.

No matter how simple or gourmet your holiday dinner, there is one sauce you'll serve this Thanksgiving that makes all the difference: thick, rich gravy. Apple flavors including cider, Calvados and apple cider vinegar are layered into a rich gravy, the perfect compliment to your Thanksgiving turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes. Apply liberally!

Sweet potatoes get sweeter with a glaze of apple cider and a bright pinch of cayenne, while a hot bacon fat vinaigrette with melted jalapeño jelly lightly wilts field spinach for this hearty yet (relatively) light-tasting fall and winter salad.

I love cooking with pumpkin, but leave those orange lanterns out on the front porch in favor of a more flavorful heirloom or modern variety. Here are some of my favorites and the recipes I like to make with them.

So here's (just about) everything you need to know about cooking a great turkey, making amazing gravy and even turning the leftovers into soup. Wow them this year!  And if it doesn't turn out perfect? Relax. The day is really about giving thanks for the time you're sharing together. It doesn't matter if your turkey is average when the people seated at the table are exceptional.  

How do you improve upon the classic New England pot roast? Enter the turnip - like a potato with more flavor. Slow cooked, the tender turnips give this dish a pleasant boost, while mushrooms and homemade stock give this inexpensive, tender cut of beef, rich, deep flavor.