Dairy Free

Granita is a light dessert, one you could enjoy any day of the week. The hibiscus flowers make it extra special and elevate the simple ice to dinner-party status. The trick to the granita's texture is to stir, or mash, it several times during freezing. This prevents it from freezing in a solid block.

Any side dish or salad that includes corn is pretty, but fava beans and striking-looking breakfast radishes—with their elongated shape, rosy red color, and creamy-looking root ends—make this dish more appealing and appetizing than most. Like most chefs, I love favas, but if you can’t find them or think they are too much trouble, replace them with lima beans.

A spoonful of toum elevates any steamed or roasted vegetable, or pasta or grains—or use it as a dipping sauce for good bread.

Arguably, some of the best ‘cue in the country can be found in North Carolina, where two distinct types of slow-cooked pig prevail. The first is Eastern barbecue, which is distinguished by slow-cooking a whole hog and including both the white and dark meat in chopped sandwiches and platters. Eastern ‘cue boasts just a hint of vinegar and red pepper, which is added to the meat mix rather than used as a sauce. Western North Carolina ‘cue (aka Lexington-style) is made from pork shoulder only. In addition to incorporating plenty of vinegar, sugar, and spices, it also mixes in a good amount of ketchup to create an actual sauce for the pork. This slow-cooker recipe falls somewhere in between.

Calico beans are a satisfying cross between chili, baked beans, and a sloppy joe filling. Full of a homemade barbecue-style sauce, these calico beans are meaty, tangy, salty, and deliciously perfect for any barbecue, picnic, or potluck you are heading to!

Tender, tangy, and accented with just a hint of bourbon, these slow-cooker–cooked ribs are messy, saucy, and perfect for devouring over a long weekend.

Serve this spicy-sweet sauce with thick-cut fried potato wedges, or use it as a glaze for pan-seared chicken thighs.

This refreshing fizzy drink has the flavor of chocolate milk—but without the dairy. Add a shot of chilled espresso or Kahlúa to give it some extra oomph.

Turn any vegetable into a flavorful, spicy pickle with this simple kimchi technique.

Chop these Calabrian-style chiles into pasta sauce or sprinkle onto pizza.

Slice these and mix with cured meats for a fresher take on antipasto salad.

Combined with coconut milk, it’s the base for your next Thai curry.

There are a lot of aioli recipes out there. This one uses a coddled egg instead of raw, and the blender method ensures a successful emulsion.

Red chiles are the best for drying.

Splash liberally on fried eggs, toss with grilled veg, or spread on a sub.

I love crunchy fennel and peppery arugula dressed with a slightly sweet dressing made from Meyer lemons—a fresh-tasting pick-me-up. Meyer lemons are only available in the wintertime, so if you can’t find them, use regular lemon juice and replace a third of it with fresh orange juice.

This simple pizza dough comes together quickly and is perfect for a thin crust pizza like "Trenton Tomato Pie" Pizza. The overnight rest is key for texture and flavor development.

A ripe cantaloupe is one of the most intoxicating pieces of produce under the sun—use it creatively.