Name: Toasted-Almond Cake with Strawberries in Rosé-Water Syrup
Cook time: 1 1/4 hours
Total time: 3 hours
Yield: Makes 8 servings with leftovers
Ingredients: 3/4 cup whole almonds with skins (1/4 pound), toasted and cooled; 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 4 large eggs, at room temperature 30 minutes; 1 1/4 cups superfine granulated sugar; 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted and cooled; 1/3 cup whole milk; 1/4 teaspoon almond extract; 1/2 cup sliced almonds (2 ounces); 2 cups water; 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar; 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 2 lb strawberries, trimmed and quartered lengthwise; 1/2 teaspoon rose water or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, or to taste; 1 1/2 cups chilled heavy cream; a 9-inch square baking pan (2 inches deep)

Image may contain Plant Almond Food Vegetable Nut Confectionery and Sweets

Toasted-Almond Cake with Strawberries in Rosé-Water SyrupJohn Kernick

If strawberry shortcake hailed from the Middle East, it might taste like this. Toasting the almonds lets their essence permeate the cake, making it a lovely partner for strawberries that have been macerated in lemon juice and just a hint of rose water. A dollop of freshly beaten cream melds the two beautifully.

Cooks' notes:

·Cake (not cut) improves in flavor if made at least 1 day ahead (up to 3) and kept, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap, at room temperature.
·Strawberries can be macerated in syrup up to 2 hours.

Recipe notes

Smothered Italian Sausage

This is what I call a fridge-eater recipe. The key here is getting a nice sear on the sausage and cooking the tomato down until it coats the sausage and vegetables well.

Salmon With Sizzled Nut Salsa

A savory-hot salsa made with mixed nuts (like the kind dubbed cocktail nuts meant for snacking) gives roast salmon a kaleidoscope of textures and flavors.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

One-Pot Chicken Thighs With Cilantro Rice and Beans

This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Dulce de Leche

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.

Golden Mushroom Soup With Orzo & a Pat of Butter

This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.