Bon Appétit

If you've tried kale chips, you'll get the idea behind this elegant snack. At Saltimporten, the chefs use a dehydrator, but we got great results baking the chips in a low-heat oven for a long time.

For a simple but elegant winter holiday meal, look no further than this Italian classic.

Saltimporten sources only the freshest wild mushrooms available and uses them raw in this dish. If using less-than-pristine mushrooms, sauté them quickly in a neutral-flavored oil, such as grapeseed or vegetable oil.

To save time, use canned chickpeas instead of dried.

Brining the lamb before it is slowly braised results in flavorful meat.

If you think quinoa is only good for savory salads and pilafs, you're missing out. Pair it with steel-cut oats to amplify its hearty flavor. A little maple syrup brings out its sweet side.

Rösti is a large potato pancake made famous by the Swiss. This version omits the speck, but feel free to add a slice under the cheese. Chilling parboiled potatoes makes the grating step easier.

Tasty, and healthy, too: Coconut water is high in potassium and other electrolytes. And Flaxseeds are a good source of beneficial omega-3s.

Onions become meltingly soft and improbably delicious after dry roasting.

Using an egg white adds crunch without calories.

Use mature flat-leaf spinach— the baby leaves lack flavor and texture.

This deeply savory tomato-based pasta sauce is flavored with garlic, red pepper flakes, and a mix of ground pork and hot (or sweet) Italian sausage. Use any short, tubular pasta you like.

"Spirits are delicious when infused with fresh fruit. Vodka is like a blank canvas—it will take on the flavor of whatever you add to it." —Mary-Frances Heck, test kitchen director

For this dish, balsamic vinegar adds the sweetness needed to balance the sharp flavor of red wine vinegar.

Tarte Tatin meets gingerbread cake in this pretty upside-down dessert.

Bonus points for serving one huge stack and making your family get all Jenga on it for seconds.

This one-pan shrimp dinner is just the thing for a busy weeknight when you want something warm, but also light and fresh.

"Pineapple is great for marinades; it lends amazing sweet-and-sour flavor and contains enzymes that help tenderize the meat." —Alison Roman, assistant food editor

For the ultimate nachos, layer tortilla chips with beer-braised carnitas, black beans, and shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack. Bake until the cheese is melty, then serve it with all your favorite toppings.