Lightly adapted from Melissa Clark's In the Kitchen with a Good Appetite. Her version has whole cumin, coriander and brown mustard seeds. It's a spice mixture that's very adaptable, obviously; my current version is below. Also, if you don't have sliced almonds, substitute some chopped almonds or cashews.

The perfect no-cook dish for last-minute summer dinners.

Creamy pumpkin soup with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. A fall favorite that’s rich, smooth, and comforting.

I saw a grilled cheese with mustard on a menu years ago, and since then, on the rare occasion that I’ll throw caution to the wind and make or order a big grilled cheese sandwich, I have to have some mustard on the side. Mustard makes almost everything better, I’d argue; one of my friends at work and I bonded over our shared love of the condiment. When an open jar is in my midst, I will put it on whatever is closest, especially if that something is a thick slice of buttery brioche with plenty of melty cheese and peppery mustard greens. Are you drooling? If it’s breakfast time where you are, perhaps consider throwing a fried egg into the mix.

Cheese-stuffed tortellini in a creamy tomato sauce with Italian herbs. Hearty, cheesy, and perfect for pasta night.

Once enjoyed exclusively in its native Italy, the Aperol spritz has become world-famous over the last couple of decades for its powerfully refreshing qualities, bright color, lower alcohol content, and overall simplicity. If you’re hunting for a poolside pour or perfect porch sipper, look no further than this light, colorful summer drink that’s as easy to assemble as it is to swig.

This is an old favorite of mine that I first created about 14 years ago after sampling something like it at a Chinese restaurant.

Until not so long ago, pulses—the dried seeds of legumes like beans, peas, and lentils—had a bad reputation: relegated to the health food category and generally seen as a bit “worthy”—the food of hemp trouser-wearing hippies. Now, thanks many people eating less meat but searching for new sources of sustenance, deliciousness, and protein, pulses have been put in the spotlight. This is their moment and your chance to get better acquainted with them.

A robust, slightly spicy soup with black beans, tomatoes, and Tex-Mex seasonings. Protein-packed and satisfying.