Bon Appétit

The final step of chef Bryan Furman's method for the best grilled chicken? Grill some lemon quarters until charred and softened, then squeeze them over the butter-brushed bird.

This easy cake batter requires no mixer and comes together in minutes. The final result is a rich, custardy cake that plays perfectly off the tart rhubarb topping.

Why baste your steak with fish sauce? It's called umami. Get into it.

Simplifying the traditional dessert baba au rhum (sweet, yeasted cakes soaked in rum) with store-bought brioche makes it no less an impressive way to end an evening.

Adding a full tablespoon of cocktail bitters toward the end of making this jam does wonders to bring out the berry flavor. Spoon onto toast with ricotta, or enjoy by the spoonful.

Yes, seafood cooks quickly, but sometimes it's worth it to spend some time building layers of flavor into a sauce as you would with a big pot of ragù.

Romano beans, also known as Italian pole beans, are wide and flat and have a less delicate texture than green beans but share their mild and sweet flavor.

Be sure to roll the meatballs firmly into the millet so that the tiny grains don't fall off during frying.

Malfatti—literally "badly made"—are not as tricky to shape as you think. This sturdy gnocchi-esque dumpling dough is a breeze to work with.

This time anchovies are not optional. They're an integral ingredient here, and it's worth seeking out quality brands. We love the oil-packed ones from Ortiz, Agostino Recca, and Merro.

Sauté asparagus hot and fast in a skillet to soften and slightly char, then toss in a soy dressing with crushed peanuts and shredded coconut to add addictive crunch.

As a dessert, fior di latte refers to gelato made without egg yolks so that the pure flavor of the sweet cream can shine. If you have a gelateria in your neighborhood, get a couple of pints to go. If not, use vanilla ice cream and your imagination.

The textured sweet-and-sour condiment (agrodolce) would also be excellent spooned over vegetables or chicken or tossed with cooked grains.

Come springtime, sugar snap peas are so tender and fresh it's almost a shame to cook them. We prefer slicing them thinly and eating them raw with a simple dressing, like this creamy, tangy buttermilk one.

We call for semi-pearled grains because they cook more quickly and have a roughened-up texture that helps them soak up the dressing. Browning them first deepens their flavor.

Don't fret if you can’t find turbot. Look out for other flatfish such as Dover sole or flounder.

Macerating red onions in balsamic vinegar with a big pinch of sugar helps soften the onions and sweetens them right up.

For the best play between sweet, hot, and salty ingredients, look for spiky arugula, labeled "rocket" or "rucola," at the farmers' market. It's much more peppery and sturdy than what you’ll find at the supermarket.

The crunchy almond cookies replace soft smushy ladyfingers for a welcome twist on the classic dessert.

Don't expect your first pasqualina to look perfect. But it will taste absolutely amazing if you remember three key steps: don't sweat the crust, squeeze every drop of liquid out of the greens, and save your chard stems!