Tangy Apple and Beet Salad

Rounded out with radicchio and blue cheese, this salad’s nearly a meal in itself. (By Ali LaRaia)

Smoked Duck and Cherry Pressed Sandwich

A crunchy baguette stuffed with smoked duck, arugula, blue cheese, and cherries. (By Aida Mollenkamp)

Persian Baked Egg Dish (Kuku)

This combination of eggs, spinach, herbs, and spices is a delicious introduction to Persian food. (By Aida Mollenkamp)

Bull-Market Burger

This decadent burger is a fine-dining, three-course meal served up on a fresh kaiser roll. (By Amy Wisniewski)

Kid-Friendly Fried Rice

Lighter than the real thing but still plenty tasty. (By Aida Mollenkamp)

Thai Beef Jerky

Sweet honey combines with salty fish sauce and floral coriander seed for a complex-flavored but simple-to-make beef jerky. (By Aida Mollenkamp)

Salmon Jerky "Candy"

Sugar-cured salmon jerky goes Nordic with the addition of caraway seeds. (By Kate Ramos)

Spiced Dark Fruitcake

Warm holiday spices, dark molasses, and sweet dried fruit make this fruitcake a classic. (By Kate Ramos)

Caesar Salad

The real deal— anchovies and all. (By Amy Wisniewski)

Caribbean Black Fruitcake

Don’t be fooled by its innocent chocolaty appearance— this Caribbean cake is spicy, boozy, and every bit as wicked as devil’s food cake. (By Amy Wisniewski)

Rajas Quesadillas

The traditional Mexican mixture of peppers and onions makes an easy quesadilla filling, or omit the cheese for a quick taco. (By Kate Ramos)

Cardamom-Spiced Carrot Cake with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting

Kept extra-moist with a generous helping of grated carrot, and lightly spiced with cardamom and ginger. (By Kate Ramos)

Salade Lyonnaisey

A variation on the traditional French frisée salad. (By Aida Mollenkamp)

Carne Asada

Build a better burrito with this main dish that can be made ahead of time. (By Aida Mollenkamp)

White "Groom's" Fruitcake

Buttery and citrusy, this fruitcake is delicious either fresh or aged for months. (By Aida Mollenkamp)