Cheese

Malfatti—literally "badly made"—are not as tricky to shape as you think. This sturdy gnocchi-esque dumpling dough is a breeze to work with.

Macerating red onions in balsamic vinegar with a big pinch of sugar helps soften the onions and sweetens them right up.

For the best play between sweet, hot, and salty ingredients, look for spiky arugula, labeled "rocket" or "rucola," at the farmers' market. It's much more peppery and sturdy than what you’ll find at the supermarket.

The crunchy almond cookies replace soft smushy ladyfingers for a welcome twist on the classic dessert.

Don't expect your first pasqualina to look perfect. But it will taste absolutely amazing if you remember three key steps: don't sweat the crust, squeeze every drop of liquid out of the greens, and save your chard stems!

If you can't find nduja, a funky and spicy spreadable Italian salami, substitute torn or chopped hot soppressata or a salami with some kick.

This side dish is so fast and easy, you can make a big batch and have it for the whole week. The simple marinade will fancy up any type of canned beans.

We give the classic Mexican combination of corn with ground chilies, queso fresco, and lime a Spanish spin by swapping Manchego for the queso fresco and adding hot pimentón instead of ground chilies. Smoky and spicy, creamy and bright, this is an irresistible dish that flies off our market menu all summer.

More work than a steak seasoned on the outside, but so worth it.

The moderate heat of jalapeños is a perfect counterbalance to this rich filling, a combination of cream cheese and smoked Gouda. The results are nothing like the breaded, deep-fried apps you get in sports bars.

Part of what makes this salad so great is the dynamic textures; the cracker-like baked lavash croutons and the crunchy cucumbers and radishes contrast with the creamy feta and soft herbs.

These chicken skewers are my take on buffalo wings. Instead of wings, I use thighs, and instead of buffalo sauce, I use sriracha topped with blue cheese crumbles to give it that extra salty, cheesy kick. These skewers are super quick and easy to throw on the grill. And because they’re made with dark meat, they’re extremely tender and flavorful.

A smoked gouda spread melts into these cheesy potatoes, giving them savory summer vibes; if you have access to a grill, go ahead and cook the potatoes outdoors for double the smoky action.

Packed with the bright flavors of citrus and dill, this greens-and-grains dinner comes together fast. Peas and blistered cherry tomatoes add sweetness, while feta contributes salty tang.

If you don’t have za'atar on hand, dried mint is equally delicious infused into hot oil.

Combine a few pantry staples to make this simple but luxurious anytime pasta.

Browning sausage in the same skillet used to bake this pizza not only preheats the pan (the key to a crisp crust), it also infuses that crust with rich, porky flavor.

This is an antidote to every side salad that ever was. Instead of meh greens, it's got shavings of fennel that bend and twist but keep their refreshing crunch. It's got a lean dressing and nuggets of deeply toasted croutons, meaty walnuts, and shards of Parmesan. It has acidity and zing—lemon juice, the zest, vinegar, mint, and red pepper flakes—just in case you were worried about palate fatigue. This is what salad looks like in 2018.