Spring is definitely in the air, and it's right about now that the idea of entertaining starts to have appeal again. After all, we need to remind each other what we look like without scarves covering our faces. The first get-together of spring needs a special dessert to mark the occasion, don't you think? A fluffy cake or a parfait with billowy whipped cream, something with crunchy nuts and topped with a drizzle of honey. Here are 15 recipes that we think will do the job admirably.

With spring seemingly just around the corner (maybe? please?), I can't think of anything better than a warm bowl of this spaghetti squash with tender asparagus and creamy herbed ricotta. Then again, those scallops with orzo and that citrusy millet salad are looking mighty fine, especially if you add a square of fresh rosemary focaccia to the bargain. But if you're still in a wintry mood, that braised beef over polenta or the hearty Spanish bean soup will keep you cozy, for sure.

Remember when everyone could eat bread? With more and more people avoiding gluten, bread has become a guilty pleasure at the dinner table, even for those of us who can tolerate it just fine. My deepest sympathies to those with gluten intolerance, who may want to look away while I take a moment to appreciate warm, soft, chewy, crusty, wonderful bread and all the ways you can turn a day-old loaf of it into a full meal.

Love sweet potatoes? We have 15 fantastic ways you can eat them for dinner! Also from this time last year, our #1 tip for working in a small kitchen, a taco dinner care package for new parents, and how one of our writers made a rotisserie chicken into a week of easy meals. 

So things are looking good with you and your special someone. Hooray! Good enough that you've decided it's time to introduce each other to your respective parents. Double hooray! And you've decided that the perfect setting for these introductions would be a cozy home-cooked meal. Um... gulp. Let's talk about a menu that will make sure the whole evening goes smoothly, shall we?

What's the best way to salt a dish? How can you tell when your risotto is perfect? What's the secret to making delicious tofu every time? We've picked up a few pro tips and techniques over the years, and here are 15 of our favorites for easier, quicker, and better weeknight cooking:

When I hear the word appetizer, I often think of dinner gatherings or cocktail parties. When folks are standing around waiting for the larger meal or event, it's nice to have something to nibble on. But what about when it's just you and your partner or family at home making dinner? That's occasion enough for appetizers too, and in my opinion, toasts are often the answer! More

This time last year, we shared 15 great non-alcoholic drinks to have with a meal. But the possibilities don't end there. Here are 10 more alcohol-free beverages to sip with your food, whether it's a casual supper or a fancy dinner party. More

The right bread can really make a meal. I love a warm, cheesy biscuit with a hearty stew, or a soft, chewy bun to soak up the last bits of savory sauce on my plate. From sweet potato rolls to cheese gougères, from butter dips to soda bread buns, you really can't go wrong with any one of these 10 favorite supper sides for the bread basket.

When I see cabbage at the market, I think about it in one of two ways: coleslaw in the warmer months or braised red cabbage in the cooler months. Sometimes I'll make an Asian-type salad with peanut dressing that veers from this, but generally I sit pretty reliably in the two camps. This week, Mark Bittman set me straight. There is, indeed, a whole other world of cabbage that goes far beyond braising and chopping it for slaw. More