You'll never believe that this shake is made with as few ingredients as it is, or that they're all so ridiculously wholesome. Feel free to experiment a little with the non-dairy milk base you use, as well as the nut butter (cashew, coconut, and sunflower seed butter will all work; so will peanut butter, though the taste will be strong). This is a good recipe to treat more as a template than a prescription.

When I was a kid, my dad used to set bananas on fire in the frying pan by pouring alcohol on them. It was a little stunt he had and we were madly impressed every time. We asked him to do it often, even though we actually weren’t too fond of the taste of the bananas. Today I have grown to love those flavors. I don’t set my peaches on fire, but I think they make a pretty good dessert anyway.

A delicate, not-too-sweet ice cream that's (almost) instant gratification.

Crostata is what happens when Tart and Pie sneak off into a dark corner when no one is looking. The tart can be made one of two ways: with the crust rustically tucked up the sides like a loose pouch (similar to a galette), or with a loose, lattice top. I include the instructions here for the lattice version. This shorter, slightly more rustic variation of Italian origin features a buttery, almost shortbread-like crust that is just as much a part of the dessert as the cognac-macerated fruit filling. Though I chose a fresh fruit filling, these are also commonly filled with jams and fruit preserves making it an ideal winter tart.

Forget everything you've learned from Taco Bell. Our chicken chalupa recipe is a lighter version of the traditional Mexican dish, with seasoned shredded chicken baked on top of a crispy corn tortilla shell.

I got this recipe from a co-worker and then made a few changes to it to suit my family's tastes. It's excellent with cornbread.

"This is a Lenten favorite at our home," notes Sundra Hauck, a field editor in Bogalusa, Louisiana. "I serve it right out of the roaster with corn on the cob and boiled potatoes."

I often take this hearty meal-in-one dish to potluck suppers at the community seniors' group my husband and I helped organize. It's delicious for sauerkraut lovers and easy to double for a larger crowd.

Fall is the ideal time to enjoy a big helping of this hearty casserole, packed with wild rice and chicken and topped with cashews. When we serve this for our two daughters' birthday party, it gets raves!

My family raves over this nicely browned chicken. The rich honey glaze gives each luscious piece a spicy tang. This dish is simple enough to prepare for a family dinner and delightful enough to serve to guests.

This easy-to-prepare dish is a meal in itself. That made it a real favorite of my mother's—she had to cook for nine children! Better yet, my brothers, sisters and I loved it.

"WHEN WE were growing up, this was one of my brother's favorite dishes. We girls often thought Mother made this just for him, but she knew we enjoyed it, too! Since I'm the oldest, my brothers and sisters often 'come home' to my house, and I make baked steak for them."

I like this recipe because it is easy to fix. It is one of family favorites and a recipe that I love to share with friends. The poppy seeds seem to give this chicken dish a special look, as well as a distinctive flavor.

THIS all-in-one dish makes a meal with great flavor. It's perfect if you're cooking for one or two, but the ingredients can be multiplied to serve a larger number. My mother-in-law shared this recipe with me years ago. Quick and easy to prepare, it has been one of our family's favorites.

To serve a reduced-calorie dish that is ready in about 15 minutes, I came up with this fast, simple recipe. I think the lime juice adds a different fresh flavor to the mild taste of the fish.

While this caramelized onion pasta dish tastes and looks luxurious, it's completely approachable for any home cook. If you're new to caramelizing onions, don't even worry, we'll walk you through it.