Dairy Free

I've done some crazy, unconventional things in baking, but using avocados in place of butter may just be the craziest. Believe it or not, it works! For these chewy cookies made with chunks of chocolate and walnuts in every bite, I use absolutely no butter. They taste too good to be light—and you can't detect the taste of avocados at all. I tested these out on many unsuspecting adults, children, and teens, and everyone loved them. Karina, my college-age daughter, was the ultimate test—she's a true chocoholic. She thinks they're pretty awesome!

Brining the nuts with herbs and some spice infuses them from the inside out, and the long roasting time gives them extra toasty flavor.

A good fritto misto crust is light and crunchy (thanks, cornstarch!). If the batter thickens as you work, thin it with a bit of soda water as needed.

It's just as tasty without booze but only as good as the chocolate you use, so shop accordingly.

We love leeks. All you need are olive oil, salt, and the heat of the oven to coax some magic out of leeks.

Keys to great chips: A lower frying temp gets the moisture out; a vinegar soak ensures they're crisp.

Chicken legs, potatoes, and briny Kalamata olives star in this easy one-pan dish. "This entire meal comes together on a single rimmed baking sheet. It's comforting and ridiculously simple." —Claire Saffitz, assistant food editor

Achieve the deep, comforting flavors of slow-cooked pho in an hour with a few clever shortcuts.

A smoky Aleppo pepper and brown sugar rub give this meltingly tender roast an addictive crust. Drizzle the shreddable pork slices with an herby vinaigrette at the table for a vibrant finish.

The sweetness of the squash, dates, and coconut oil in this simple roast is balanced by the garlic and woodsy herbs.

Homemade stock made from a whole bird has two upsides: You get a rich, balanced liquid for the gumbo, and plenty of tender poached chicken meat.

This is one of my favorite ways to prepare salmon. The marinade in this recipe is the perfect combination of spicy, sweet, and savory—in fact, I also love to use it with steaks or chicken. The Sriracha sauce (aka rooster sauce) is a must, and you can find it in the Asian section of most supermarkets.

It's easier than you think to make homemade sausage for this Vietnamese take on the egg sandwich. No need to mess with casings; just mix ground pork with seasonings, form into patties, and pan-fry.

Though this recipe calls for a raspberry garnish, feel free to swap in caramelized apples or toasted pistachios. When working with phyllo dough, make sure to keep the unused phyllo sheets covered as much as possible, as they tend to dry out quickly.

Make a double batch of the almond-currant topping, then use it as a crunchy finish for salads and grain dishes. Though Admony calls for whole-wheat couscous, plain works just as well.

Though 4 pounds of brisket may seem like a lot, remember that this cut of meat loses some weight in cooking; one advantage of leaner first-cut brisket is that there's less shrinkage, but remember you'll pay more for the privilege.

Nigella seeds can be hard to find; look for them in Indian or Middle Eastern markets, or find them easily online at www.worldspice.com.

Wrap a mixture of spiced ground lamb and raw jasmine rice in layers of onion and bake in a low oven until the onions are fragrant and tender.

If you can't find both red and yellow beets, just use all of one or the other, and pickle everything in one bowl. The pickles keep, refrigerated in an airtight container, for up to 2 weeks, making them perfect for snacking with holiday leftovers.

The popular side makes a great toast topper.