This cozy, colorful seafood stew is packed with tender sea bass, shrimp, scallops, potatoes, and vegetables - all gently simmered in white wine, tomatoes, and clam juice for deep flavor. It’s the kind of dish that feels a little fancy but is surprisingly easy to pull off.

Beef Tenderloin Stew is a totally decadent “leftover” to make with trimmings from tenderloin roasted for another purpose. I usually buy about an extra pound and get the other half pound from trimmings.

The recipe changes according to what I have in my cupboard and I constantly change up the nuts, fruits and spices. Lately I’ve been adding a couple of beaten egg whites to the oat mixture before baking- its gives nicer clusters and a little protein boost. Instead of canola oil try coconut oil- or even a light tasting olive oil. I’ve been doubling up the shredded coconut and adding raw unsalted pepitas, too.

My family loved pancake breakfasts on the weekend. As the one doing the flipping, I loved them, too, but by the time “my turn” came everyone else had long since finished theirs. Then along came the sheet pan craze and now we can all eat pancakes together! Hoo-ray!

Tip: For Gingerbread Waffles with Peach Sauce replace the poppy seeds and lemon peel in the waffle batter with 1 teaspoon each cinnamon and ground ginger and 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves.

Chicken Tortilla Soup can be made a day ahead; refrigerate until ready to serve. Tortilla strips are best made just before serving. I like to bake my own tortilla chips. They taste terrific and I tend to eat fewer than when I open a big bag. (Always use corn tortillas for homemade chips.)

These were always a hit at my annual Gifts from the Kitchen class. They make a great homemade treat to share over the holidays.

Some tried-and-true tips to make your holiday cookies stand out!

I love everything about this recipe. It’s special enough for a dinner party but easy enough (if you make the sauce ahead) for a weeknight.

This was a perennial favorite of my cooking school students through the years. If you’re looking for an alternative to blue cheese, try a horseradish sauce

I love food with a sense of whimsy. Mushroom Potatoes might be the cutest side dish you’ll serve all year.

While it’s true that the family generally provides it, all holidays need a touch of drama! This deeply spiced pumpkin pie topped with a cloud of bourbon-infused cream and a darling  acorn will provide it.

I consider Zinberry  Sauce to be the little jewel on my Thanksgiving table.

Sometimes I’ll start with a spoonful of cooked white rice in a bowl before ladling in the soup.

It’s humble, hearty, and comforting in that way only old-fashioned recipes can be.

No trip to Ann Arbor Michigan is complete without a stop at Zingermans.

When it comes to football food it’s not who wins or loses, but how good the chili is