Bon Appétit

Take down the temperature of a classic hot toddy and turn it into a refreshing summer tipple: a seasonal mix of tea, citrus, spices, and rye whiskey.

Cheddar crackers, all grown up, thanks to a little heat from the cayenne and a hint of sweet pepper from the pimiento. This dough can be formed into a log and stashed in the freezer so it’s on hand for whenever you just happen to need a party appetizer. Let thaw in the fridge overnight before slicing.

A good party spread is as much about curation as it is cooking. By using quality store-bought items and plating them up with a little bit of TLC, you have a tasty, stress-free snack at the ready.

Bright citrus and fresh-ground pepper put a festive spin on two party staples: cured meat and Marcona almonds.

These homemade onion-flavored chips just might be more addictive than the store-bought versions.

We helped our snickerdoodles get party-ready by upping the spices and adding texture with toffee, cornflakes, and a sparkly finish.

These quick pickles have just the right amount of sweet, salt, and tang going on. The brine can work with any crunchy veg, but we like them best with cucumbers. We guarantee they'll be the sleeper hit of your next party spread.

This hearty, meaty, sauerkraut-braised dinner takes only 25 minutes in the oven.

Bath duck in a spiced (nutmeg, allspice) and spicy (habanero) marinade, stick it in the oven, ignore it for five hours, then serve it with fixings for build-it-yourself tacos.

This dough is too delicate to weave into a true lattice without breaking. Instead, arrange the strips in a crosshatch pattern, crossing over in a few places (it will look just as pretty).

It’s hard to know if a parsnip will have a woody core, but generally speaking, small ones are tender throughout. Worst case scenario? Trim the tough centers before cooking.

Blanching the chopped orange in boiling water before cooking it with the cranberries removes any bitterness from the peel and pith.

Cubing and lightly toasting the cornbread preps it for maximum flavor absorption without compromising its sturdiness.

Crunchy tender carrots tossed in a tangy-sweet dressing meet soft and blackened dates for literally everything you want in one bite.

Precooking the squash seasons and softens it, but don’t let it get dry or brown. The moisture it retains ensures it will be tender after baking and helps keep the caramel saucy.

We’ve got you covered. A dish of stuffing at each end of the table will help ease the traffic jam.

Harissa lends both a spiciness and an earthiness to this savory alternative to the usual sweet potato casserole.

The most labor-intensive part of this recipe involves coring and separating the leaves of each brussels sprout—a perfect activity for those lazybones watching the game. Delegate!

Removing the seeds from one of the chiles lessens the punch. If you like more heat, leave them in. If less, scrape out seeds from both chiles.

You can make and chill these mashed potatoes up to two days before the big night.