Bacon Balsamic Brussels Sprouts - seared in bacon fat, finished in a balsamic reduction, who can resist?

Harissa, a Tunisian chile sauce, seriously spicy

Avocado is a great twist to this easy, flavorful Salsa Verde!

Roasted Pepper Hummus tastes amazing, with the addition of paprika

Mediterranean Fig Salad, jewel-like figs, fragrant mint, tangy feta, comes together in minutes

Hearty, creamy soup features Cauliflower, with a tangy bite of Blue Cheese!

Layered Fruit Salad with Whipped Coconut Cream, to celebrate my one year blogiversary. Healthy and totally delicious!

This shortbread is delicately flavored with lavender and honey for a grown-up twist that kids will still love!

Thai Basil Lime Agua Fresca - the drink I want to sit and sip on during these hot summer days.

Bourbon cherry pie - delicious seasonal cherries and a uniquely American liquor make this a great choice for the 4th of July!

Strawberry fruit roll-ups with Turkish red pepper thrown in for a bit of spice!

A playful take on refried beans in soup form with roasted red peppers. Thick, smoky, and very tasty!

Pickled sugar snap peas: crisp sweetness complemented by the acidity of vinegar and flavored with garlic and chiles.

Some people love brownies, some people love cookies, but most love both. For all of them, these are a revelatory dessert: brownie cookies.

This Asian cucumber salad with black sesame seeds is quick to make and perfect for a picnic!

Garam Masala Cookies: yes, they're sweet, as cookies are meant to be, but they’re also nutty from brown butter and spicy from garam masala.

The key to this delicious stir fry is Cantonese 3-2-1 sauce. It's so easy to make - the recipe is in the name!

Smoking a whole duck took 24 hours total, from brining it overnight to slowly cooking it in a haze of cherrywood smoke, and it was worth it!

German Red Cabbage: because a great side helps make a great meal.

An avocado stuffed with crab salad and crusted with a mixture of pumpkin seeds, black pepper, fried red onions, sesame seeds, and masago.

Roasted Curried Cauliflower - Nothing too crazy here, just four ingredients and a hot oven. Vegan & gluten-free

Fasoulia - Middle-Eastern spiced kidney beans - is perfect paired with a fried egg for a delicious and healthy breakfast.

Maple Bacon S'mores - the best of both worlds: playful enough to tap into your inner kid but complex enough to please your adult taste buds.

Homemade graham crackers, sprinkled with turbinado sugar, cinnamon, and smoked salt

Maple Bacon Marshmallows. Homemade marshmallows are far superior to the store-bought ones, especially when you fold in candied bacon bits!

Blood orange curd has a citrus tang accompanied by light floral notes and a gorgeous dusty rose color - and it's perfect for crepes!

Ethiopian berbere adds a hint of spiciness to the caramelized coating on these simple and addictive candied walnuts.

Ethiopian Berbere is a fragrant spice mix reminiscent of garam masala but with the addition of paprika for a unique and unmistakable flavor.

A version of Madras curry powder that's heavy on coriander and cumin with warmth from curry leaves, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

The nutty caramel notes of brown butter take these blondies (with walnuts and cocoa nibs) over the top!

The (surprisingly simple) cookie recipe I make whenever I want to impress someone - Salted Chocolate Toffee Cookies

Brisket rubbed with ground coffee, smoked paprika, brown sugar, smoked salt, chili powder, and lemon zest, then slow cooked for hours on end.

Quick and simple blackened catfish - only four ingredients (and that's including vegetable oil and salt!)

Cajun spice mix with smoked paprika, basil, oregano, cayenne, and more... the perfect combination for gumbos and jambalayas.

Zaatar, a Lebanese spice mix, is incredibly versatile and easy to use - and to make!

Making your own herbs de provence is easy, and this traditional French mixture is a great way to flavor vegetable stews, eggs, and meats.

Char siu (Chinese barbecue pork) can be eaten many ways - atop ramen, in fried rice, as a filling for steamed pork buns, or even plain

Star anise, fennel, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and cloves make up this fragrant Chinese five-spice powder, great for savory and sweet

These fragrant and delicious gingerbread waffles are easy to make for the perfect winter breakfast or dessert!

This spicy chickpea stew is perfect for warming you up on a cold winter's night.

My new favorite way to eat pulled pork - on top of crisp lettuce with almonds, cucumber, bacon, and cheddar

Inspired by breakfast flavors, this salad is tasty at any time of day - it's hard to resist the warm bacon vinaigrette!