
Butternut Squash, Ricotta, and Sage Crostini
This one's got it all: bright fall colors and sweet-savory appeal.
Thyme Gougères
These ethereal, savory puffs are easily frozen and reheated. Serve half the yield from this recipe at the party, and save the rest for another time. Feel free to mix and match any semisoft melting cheese such as Gruyère, cheddar, or Fontina with any hard cheese such as Asiago, Parmesan, or Manchego.
Banana Tartes Tatin
Four ingredients never tasted so good! Vanilla ice cream makes a great fifth.
French Onion Soup
To speed up this classic soup without sacrificing its soulful flavor, simply caramelize the onions in a dry nonstick skillet (be sure to use one with a silicone surface designed for use over high heat, not Teflon), and use good-quality beef stock, preferably one that is low in salt.
Leeks Vinaigrette
Braising leeks brings out their buttery texture. Serve them alongside broiled fish or roast chicken.
Prosciutto-Wrapped Pork Loin with Roasted Apples
Stuff, roll, and wrap the butterflied pork loin one day ahead. Then, two hours before the party, roast the pork on a bed of apples, which serves as a natural rack and adds sweetness to the cider jus. Don't sweat the technique: Ask your butcher to trim and butterfly a pork loin for you, or go to bonappetit.com/go/porkloin for step-by-step photographs to learn how to butterfly and roll this beauty yourself.
Ginger-Yogurt Mousse with Pistachio Meringue
Use a whipped-cream dispenser to portion the mousse à la minute, or double the ingredients and whip to stiff peaks in a bowl with an electric mixer.
Chicken Pot Pie
If you’re only going to make one pot pie from scratch in your life, this is the recipe to use.
D.I.Y. Ricotta
The recipe for this quick, fresh cheese from Mozza chef Nancy Silverton should be a part of every cook's repertoire. It calls for only four ingredients and takes just 30 minutes to make. While it's not technically ricotta (Italian for "recooked") because it's not made by reheating whey (the liquid left over from making mozzarella), it boasts a fresher flavor and creamier texture than the stuff in your supermarket dairy aisle.
Porchetta
Roasting skin-on pork belly that's been wrapped around a pork loin gives you the best of both worlds: crackling mahogany crust and juicy meat seasoned with fennel, chile, and orange. Start at least 24 hours ahead. First, ask your butcher for a skin-on pork belly that's just long and wide enough to wrap around a trimmed, center-cut pork loin.
Sluggers' Strawberry Slushies
This grown-up take on a ballpark staple can also be made without an ice cream maker. To do so, put 1 cup of the wine, covered, in the refrigerator; chill. Purée the remaining wine with all remaining ingredients in a food processor. Pour the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. When youre ready to serve, just purée the ice cubes with the remaining wine in a blender.
San Francisco Garlic Fries
Our lighter take on the Gilroy Garlic Fries at the San Francisco Giants' AT&T Park forgoes the deep fryer in favor of a hot oven.
Chile-Thyme Spice Mix
Use this zesty spice mix for sprinkling over the shellfish, corn, and potatoes.
Marshmallow Creme-Hot Fudge Sundaes
Stirring in store-bought marshmallow creme, such as Marshmallow Fluff, gives this chocolate sauce its fudgy texture. Spoon it over ice cream for classic New England—style sundaes.
Spicy Seattle Tuna Rolls
The Seattle Mariners serve tuna "Ichirolls" in honor of all-star Ichiro Suzuki.
Beet, Carrot, and Apple Juice with Ginger
For the best results, chill the produce first.