Make Ahead

The base for countless dishes in Japanese cooking. This method requires just 30 minutes to soak the kombu, unlike some that call for overnight soaking.

There are many ways to make beet soup, the most well-known of all being borscht, the hearty Russian classic that also contains veggies like potatoes and cabbage. Beet soup can be eaten cold, so we like to make it with more delicate flavors and puree it. Here, the ginger beautifully balances the beet, and the coconut milk adds a nice fat component. We find citrus finishes this dish perfectly, so we garnish it with a bit of orange.

Store-bought puff pastry makes these savory "elephant ears" an easy bite-sized appetizer for your next party.

A zesty lobster salad instantly turns avocado toast into an elegant and cocktail party–worthy hors d'oeuvre.

This classic French spiced bread is great for sweet toast in the morning, or it can be sliced thinly and served with pâté for a pretty party appetizer.

Even in its simplicity, there's something about this buttery almond cake that just feels special. Baking it in a pie dish allows for you to serve it straight out of the vessel, whether for breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack, accompanied by nothing but a steaming cup of coffee or tea.

Make this impressive but easy bark for a holiday gathering, gift-giving, or festive snacking.

Two types of rum double the fun in this citrusy punch. If you can't find kumquats, add another orange.

These cookie jar classics are crunchy but with a little chew, the taste a buttery blend of nutty toasted oats and sweet raisins . . . What more could you ask for? Take them on picnics and pack them in kids' lunch boxes.

These sparkly cookies take classic gingerbread and turn up the volume with three variations of ginger and a decadent cream cheese filling.

Add a blast of bright citrus to your weekend with this Italian-style tart.

Pure maple syrup and a few pantry basics make this easy, sweet-spicy sausage sing.

Your blender does most of the work for you to make this decadent mousse: no eggs, no double boiler, no extra fuss. It's the perfect make-ahead dessert for an impressive holiday meal.

Coconut oil adds an extra punch of coconut flavor, while an egg white adds extra crunch to this granola.

We've made this classic French spread even easier by using smoked salmon in place of the more traditional poached fish.

Crisp and juicy pieces of slab bacon and just the right hit of red wine vinegar bring the perfect tangy-porky balance to these slow-cooked Southern greens.

Beef broth is the base of so many unique dishes around the world, including our personal favorite, pho. Nothing beats a good bowl of pho on a cold and rainy afternoon.

These bright zesty pickles are equally at home in a cocktail as they are in a salad, with pâté, or as part of a cured meats and cheese board.

Lasagna roll-ups are so perfectly convenient and handy, particularly for smaller households, because they can be easily assembled in small loaf pans and you can just grab the amount you need rather than bake off a huge pan at once. I can never have enough of these in the freezer!

This is how we make chicken bone broth at home. If you'd like, you can switch out the herbs and vegetables for others you prefer. For example, you could add leeks, celery, or a different type of onion. Roast the vegetables first for added depth of flavor and color. Be sure to keep the ingredients covered by adding water just to cover through- out the simmering process. The pot can be left overnight to simmer on your stove; however, be sure there is enough liquid in the pot before you go to bed, and keep the flame low. Too much evaporation will result in a burnt batch.