Claire Saffitz
Contributor
Claire Saffitz is a freelance recipe developer and video host. Previously, she was Senior Food Editor at Bon Appétit magazine, where she worked for five years in the test kitchen. She hosted the series Gourmet Makes on the Bon Appétit YouTube channel, where she used her classical pastry knowledge to reverse engineer popular snack foods and candy.
Smoked Salmon 7-Layer Dip
This zesty spin on the old party classic matches hot-smoked salmon with beet horseradish, two kinds of soft cheese, and crunchy veg and herbs. Serve it with bagels or pumpernickel bread.
Relish Tray With D.I.Y. Eggs
Smoked almonds and black olives are our suggestions for this appetizer, but use any nut or olive that you like.
Figs with Bacon and Chile
This figs recipe is sweet, salty, sticky, and acidic—everything you want in a one-bite appetizer.
Cacio e Pepe Chips
Cacio e pepe works on so many things, this potato chip recipe is just our latest obsession with using the whole flavor combination.
Easy Roast Turkey With No-Roux Gravy
It’s important to follow the measurements for the salt and to use a low-sodium stock (or, better yet, a homemade one) for this recipe—otherwise, the gravy could wind up being too salty.
Mango-Lime Curd
This tangy and slightly tropical curd recipe makes a good layer cake or meringue pie filling. Or, you know, dip shortbread cookies into it. If gifting this, transfer it to a glass jar and make sure the lucky recipient knows to keep it chilled.
Chocolate-Peppermint Fudge
Crush candies in a plastic bag with a rolling pin. Using a hand mixer is more effective than a stand mixer for this chocolate-peppermint fudge recipe.
Spicy Wet Walnuts with Chile, Orange, and Star Anise
This dead-simple walnuts recipe is sweet and savory, which means you can take it in either direction. It’s an amazing sundae topping and would transform an ordinary bowl of oatmeal into a thing of greatness, but you could also serve it on a cheese board or as a condiment for roast pork chops. Choices!
Free-Form Chocolate Candies
Known as mendiants in France, these adorned chocolate bites are a holiday tradition.
Savory Sweet Potato Casserole
Brown butter and rosemary are the ultimate, timeless pairing for sweet potatoes. Making your own breadcrumbs from sourdough bread shoots this recipe into all-star status, but using store-bought in a pinch is perfectly fine too.
Braised and Brûléed Apples with Ice Cream
A thin layer of caramelized sugar on the surface of these apples mimics the crackle of crème brûlée. Finally, a good reason to poach fruit.
Apple and Nut-Butter Puff Pastry Tarts
The flavors of apples dipped in peanut butter, all cozied up inside a flaky puff pastry crust. Sold!
Rock Shrimp Pasta With Spicy Tomato Sauce
Add ready-peeled shrimp to tomato sauce spiked with fennel and chiles for a fast and flavorful weeknight dinner.
The Best Eggplant Parmesan
All your efforts will be rewarded the moment you pull this custardy eggplant slathered in tangy sauce, and a crispy, cheesy top from the oven.
Sausage, Greens, and Beans Pasta
What's in your pantry? Chickpeas? White beans? Either will work in this easy, filling pasta.
Pasta with Romanesco and Capers
Seek out romanesco (a bright green, conical cousin to cauliflower that’s in season right now) for this nutty, savory pasta dinner. Can’t find it? Broccoli or cauliflower will work well too.
Pasta With Mushrooms and Prosciutto
Getting the consistency of the creamy mushroom sauce right is key for this pasta recipe—you want to reduce it just until it clings to the pasta.
Anchovy Pasta With Garlic Breadcrumbs
Cook breadcrumbs—mixed with bright lemon zest and garlic—until toasted and crunchy and then try not to inhale them before garnishing this spicy anchovy pasta.
Fridge-Dive Pesto Pasta
Turn any extra hardy greens or herbs you can find in your fridge into dinner tonight with this pesto pasta.
Apple and Fig Custard
Whether you serve this warm-hug-in-a-casserole-dish for brunch or dessert, a pour of maple syrup and a dollop of fresh whipped cream would definitely be a welcome addition.