I have never been to the Kentucky Derby, but every year my family and friends celebrate it as if we were racing heirs from Lexington. Our standard menu includes everything from ham biscuits, hot browns, and homemade Derby pie. A few rounds of Mint Juleps, of course, are a must. This fresh take on the classic, with pineapple chunks, spicy ginger syrup, and a sprinkle of black peppercorns, will be your go-to from now until summer meets its final days.

At our house we entertain — a lot. Asian-inspired dishes like Thai curry, Vietnamese Bahn Mi sandwiches, and sushi are often on the menu.  Sriracha is our condiment of choice, and while we enjoy cold beer to tame its heat, the search for the perfect cocktail to pair with it has finally come to a very happy ending with this week's drink.

You know those recipes that makes beautiful lunches and feel like a special treat, but that actually don't take all that long to make if you plan in advance? The ones that graduate to dinner in a snap, and then family and friends begin requesting it? This spring grain salad is just that — it combines hearty einkorn wheat berries with sweet mango, fresh cilantro and parsley, crisp sunflower sprouts, crunchy toasted pepitas and a creamy avocado dressing. Perfect for spring, perfect for anytime.

I was perched on the couch the other morning, catching up on food blogs and sipping a mocha when all of a sudden the urge for a warm, toasted baguette smothered with melted chocolate and a drizzle of fruity olive oil hit me. Sometimes good ideas strike at the oddest of times. This early morning craving for chocolate and bread inspired my most recent party idea: a gathering where everyone builds their own dessert!

We've all encountered, and possibly even served, a boring crudité platter. As a vegetarian and gluten-free guest and host, I've had my fair share of raw broccoli and carrot sticks while other party guests indulged in more interesting hors d'oeuvres. But these pickled baby carrots? These ones with the zingy bite that will be ready in just a couple of hours? You might want to double the recipe. 

If you feel like you've mastered Pasta 101: Make Pasta from Scratch, then it's time to graduate to Pasta 201: Tortellini Edition. In today's class, you will learn the fine art of rolling, stuffing, and shaping these fetching little dumplings, all for the eventual goal of serving them to your adoring fans. No matter how tricky these tortellini look right now, I guarantee you will feel like a serious pasta-making pro once you step up to the pasta roller and turn out your first tray.

There are many reasons to love black cod -- it is sustainably fished, full of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and wonderfully buttery when cooked. Here's one more: a classic Japanese recipe for black cod that makes an easy, elegant dinner for guests or a quick main dish you can prep over the weekend.

It's not very often that I whip up a plated lamb dinner for friends. Good-quality lamb is a real splurge, but sometimes life's events call for nothing less than the best. This simple, showstopping menu does just that.

Every once in a while, you've gotta pull out all the stops. You've got to roll your own pasta and spend an afternoon carefully folding it around spoonfuls of creamy  cheese while gazing out the window and listening to This American Life. Then you have to serve this handmade tortellini as its very own course at an extra-special dinner party. And serve it simply — not buried in a rich ragu, but with a few ladles of good Parmesan-infused broth so everyone can taste how amazing these little pasta dumplings truly are. Trust me on this one. It's worth it.