Rib-sticking and spicy, porky cabbage soup is infused with goulash-like flavors. More

These cakes take the brunch staple of smoked salmon and turns it into a filling dish best served on lemony greens. More

A heavily Cajun-seasoned skin gives an earthy and spicy coating to these chicken wings, while hot sauce adds another layer of flavor to create a complexity that goes beyond the standard Buffalo. More

A paler version of your classic brownie, Drunk Blondies earned their name with a couple spoonfuls of bourbon and two cups of brown sugar. Mixing in toasted coconut, pecans and chocolate chips yields a recipe that does the Back in the Day Cookbook proud. More

Braised short ribs are one of those no-brainer wintertime comfort foods. Easy to prep, slow to cook, and luscious to eat, the well-marbled cut of beef tastes great simmered in just about anything--from tomato-based Italian broths to beer and beef broth. In Charles Phan's Vietnamese Home Cooking, Phan presents a French-influenced stew laced with lemongrass, ginger, star anise, and Thai chiles. Alongside the short ribs, he braises (not-surprising) carrots and (more curious) daikon radish to add sweetness and texture to the beef. And a bonus? The brothy, rich sauce is wonderful on its own should you "accidentally" eat all of the beef out of the stew first More

Guasacaca is the Venezuelan answer to guacamole, but with a brighter, tangier flavor. More

Part cheesesteak, part meatloaf, part cheeseburger, the elusive cheeseburger sub is likely a staple in more than one college town. This version is cooked on homemade ciabatta garlic bread, which gets soaked through with juices from the meat during cooking. More

In the Big Easy, BBQ shrimp means simmering in garlicky butter sauce with Worcestershire, hot sauce and rosemary. Remoulade with homemade mayonnaise is just about as quick as opening a jar of pre-made tartar sauce--and approximately 100 times more delicious. More

What's better than buffalo wings? All the wing fixin's--saucy chicken, cool ranch dressing and celery sticks--eaten between two buttermilk biscuits. The homemade buttermilk ranch dressing is well worth the minimal extra effort. More

Elvis was onto something with his love of peanut butter, bacon and banana sandwiches. Bacony buttermilk waffles serve as salty bookends for caramelized bananas in a maple-peanut butter sauce. The King would be proud. More

Two gooey, melted cheese delicacies come together for the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Crisp, grilled pizza doughs are slathered with homemade sundried tomato pesto and covered with classic toppings--and plenty of cheese, of course. More

This tasty drink highlights the Chartreuse and will impress anyone who likes a pretty drink because unlike many pretty drinks, this one has flavor to match its beauty. More

This recipe is a twist on the popular chocolate haupia cream pie popularized by Ted's Bakery on O'ahu's North Shore. Unlike the Ted's pie, this version whisks 72% cacao dark chocolate directly into the haupia and serves it up in a chocolate graham cracker crust. More

This easy to make stovetop lasagna incorporates lean chicken and skim milk cheese, but it's every bit as hearty as the classic. More

This very special egg is best enjoyed bathed in a soy-sesame dressing with lots of crunchy fresh herbs and a bit of chili heat. More

Charles Phan's spicy soy sauce is a primary ingredient in the dressing for his Roasted Eggplant and Leek Salad in Vietnamese Home Cooking. It could also serve as a pungent dipping sauce for any number of appetizers. More

The name "Roasted Eggplant and Leek Salad" in Charles Phan's Vietnamese Home Cooking is a bit of a misnomer. Yes, this dish has eggplant and leeks, but no, it is not a roasted salad. (Unless, of course, you count grilling as roasting.) If you happen to live in a wondrous state with no real winter (cough, California, cough), grilling in January is a non-issue. In other parts of the country, however, it may be necessary to bring the dish indoors and under a broiler. Either way, this silky smokey salad should go on your to-make list, stat--soft eggplant meets pleasantly squeaky leeks in a vibrant sauce of soy, chiles, and cilantro. What's not to love? More

Wintertime can wear out its welcome right about now, still months away from the growing season for berries and stone fruit. When I pine for the flavors of warmer months, I turn to frozen fruit to satisfy my cravings. The light, airy peach mousse in this pie utilizes frozen peaches for flavor that's summery, any time of year. More

The tea lover's spritzer, this spirit-free cocktail from Rouge Tomate in New York City trades sweet lemonade for tangy rosemary-grapefruit juice. Feel free to experiment with your own blend of teas. More

Simple but smart, these fudgy brownies from the Back in the Day Cookbook are coated with a decadent ganache infused with chicory coffee that takes them from clever to Creole. Cocoa nibs give them a "crunchy, yet tender" texture. More

This slaw is a great way to eat your colors, and it's every bit as delicious as it is healthful. More

These pretty in pink, berry-luscious, and chocolaty cupcakes will get you in the mood for Valentine's Day. More

The name "steamed ribs" may not be particularly appealing to many of you. Perhaps this fact is why Charles Phan left out the adjective when naming the Black Bean-Glazed Pork Spareribs in his cookbook, Vietnamese Home Cooking. But consider this: When cooked properly, steamed fish, dumplings, and vegetables take on a silky smooth and supple texture. Why not apply the technique to pork ribs? More

A quick sauté or stir-fry of ginger, garlic, beef, and chopped kimchi goes remarkably well when poured atop a pile of Fritos. While some may see this version of Frito Pie as sacrilege, I see it as a nice change of pace for your Super Bowl party. More

It's always nice to have something alongside a good cup of hot tea. Sandwiches, cookies, and buns are all great choices, but to me a nice slice of tea cake and butter is hard to beat. This is a simple cake, dotted with raisins soaked in tea—but put it next to a pot of tea, and take a moment to read a newspaper or stare out a window, and you'll be ready to get back to the real world feeling satisfied and invigorated. More

These slightly chewy Italian cookies have ground toasted almonds and blood orange zest in the base. They're dipped in egg whites and topped with slivered almonds, then coated in a dusting of confectioners sugar. A nice accompaniment to tea. More

This is an ode to soup lovers looking for a meal in a bowl, with crispy fried chickpeas, tender chard and rice. Packed with antioxidants and fiber, it's also ideal for your eat-healthier, your-body-is-a-temple New Years' resolutions--no kale chips required. More

Succulent and bursting with bold peppery flavours, the Chicken Pepper Fry is an Indian feast. More

All the flavor of a classic baked ziti with tomato sauce and cheese, but in a single skillet, start to finish. More

Phan's version is relatively simple; crisp green papaya slivers mingle with pickled carrots, fried tofu, cucumbers, and celery. A dressing of potent fish sauce, vinegar, garlic, and chiles brings the vegetables together, and then the whole caboodle is topped with fried shallots and roasted peanuts. You will, of course, have find a good way to julienne a giant papaya, pickle carrots, fry both tofu and shallots, and mix it all together before dinner. It is no last-minute side dish, but you'll be happy to have put in the time. More

Charles Phan's pickled carrots from Vietnamese Home Cooking make an appearance on his Green Papaya Salad, but they would also be welcome on many a sandwich (like a banh mi, perhaps?). More

Use this fish sauce in salad dressings, like Charles Phan's Green Papaya Salad from Vietnamese Home Cooking, or on top of fish or chicken. More

This cheesecake is soft moist, and full of strawberry-almond flavor. A touch of crème fraîche makes for a gently tart kick. More

[Photographs: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt] Note: For best results, use live clams. If live clams are unavailable, skip steps 2 and 4. In step 6, add 1 pound chopped canned or frozen clams to chowder before heating through to serve. About... More

This cake transforms into something extra amazing after a night of chilling in the fridge. The caramel-soaked edges become chewy and addictive and the bananas melt into something akin to a glaze. More

There's no doubting the comforting nature of massaman curry. The relatively mild mix is less of an assault on the senses, and more like a rejuvenating aromatherapy session. Sub in eggplant for the beef, and it can also be cooked quickly. More

I knew right away that this was something I'd make again and again. The essence of the recipe: 6 simple ingredients, done in less than 20 minutes. More

A spicy booze-free take on the Salty Dog cocktail. More

Bright and floral, the orange rosewater sparkler is made with fresh-squeezed orange, muddled mint, and rosewater. More

A classed-up version of the thick, frothy orange shake of mall food court fame. More

When Spam and eggs are wedged into a toasted Hawaiian roll slathered in jelly (pineapple, mango, and even strawberry, all work well), it makes for an epic breakfast sandwich that might even sway the harshest of Spam critics (one could only hope). The sweetness of the rolls and the jelly balance the salty Spam and the rich, runny egg yolk. Oh, and a squirt of Sriracha never hurts either. More

Charles Phan's twice-fried shallots (and resulting shallot oil) make frequent appearances in his cookbook Vietnamese Home Cooking, like in Hoi An Wontons and Green Papaya Salad. More

As Charles Phan explains in Vietnamese Home Cooking, Chinese cuisine has a strong influence in certain places in Vietnam like the port town Hoi An. There, much of the food is a mash-up of cultures (including even Japan), so serving fried wontons is not a major leap, cuisine-wise. Phan's fried wontons use the same filling as his wonton soup--mainly shrimp, pork, mushrooms, and chestnuts--but here they are sealed like ravioli (no tricky folding!) and fried in canola oil. The richness of the dumplings is balanced by serving them with a spicy tomato sauce spiked with fish sauce. More

The Lynchburg Lemonade was the center of a legal battle between a restaurant owner and the Jack Daniels Distillery. While that drink was much ado about nothing, this version is worth fighting over. More

A moist muffin crumb is flavored with sweet-tart key limes and topped with coconut. More

Campari lends a bitter touch to a fresh marmalade made from seasonal Mandarin oranges and a touch of lemon verbena. More