Pear, Arugula, and Pancetta SaladBy jAMeSA few simple ingredients come together in an unexpected way to create a delicate beginning for a luxurious dinner.The Ultimate Peanut Butter Sandwich CookiesBy jAMeSA sandwich cookie takes more effort than a drop cookie, because you have to make both cookies and filling. In addition, this recipe involves a chilling step and requires the cookies to be double-panned. But the results are worth it for the best-textured peanut butter cookie with the creamiest peanut filling.Holiday Biscotti with Cranberries and PistachiosBy jAMeSThe pleasingly chewy biscotti are coated on one end with white chocolate. In our test kitchen, imported white chocolate, such as Perugina or Lindt, yielded the best results.Triple-Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal CookiesBy jAMeSKey Lime CheesecakeBy jAMeSReminiscent of Sara Lee's 1950s-era graham-cracker and sour-cream cheesecake, this version features a thick layer of delicious sour cream atop the creamy filling and tart Key lime custard.Tropical Carrot Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese FrostingBy jAMeSThis cake can be prepared one day ahead. Sweetened cream of coconut is available in the liquor section of most supermarkets.Goat Cheese & Fig Cake w/Fig MascarponeBy jAMeSThis light-as-can-be buttermilk cake has an easy sophistication, its Sherry-spiked berries harmonizing with the tangy cream.Lemon Gnocchi with Spinach and PeasBy jAMeSThe zing of fresh lemon enhances both the peas' sweetness and the natural flavor of the spinach. The whole quick, creamy dish is bolstered by soft pillows of potato gnocchi.Quick Sausage and Mushroom LasagnaBy jAMeSIf possible, use flat no-cook lasagna noodles: They look and taste more like homemade than the curly kind.Chicken Pot Pie with Butternut SquashBy jAMeSLay the puff pastry over the skillet for a pretty look. Use any brand; the weight may vary, but either way you'll have enough to work with.Simple Roast ChickenBy jAMeSThis simple roast chicken recipe by legendary chef Thomas Keller is one of the top-rated chicken recipes on Epicurious. It's an essential, delicious chicken recipe any home cook can master and enjoy.Lemony Chicken and Orzo SoupBy jAMeSThis weeknight chicken soup goes Greek with orzo, lemon juice, and a handful of fresh dill.Chicken MarsalaBy jAMeSMy dad loved mushrooms, and he always ordered veal Marsala when we went out to restaurants. My mom didn't buy veal very often, so she adapted this recipe for chicken and made it on special occasions. He was also very fond of white Burgundy wine, which makes a wonderful accompaniment to this dish.Parmesan Chicken CutletsBy jAMeSIf you cut the chicken into smaller pieces before breading, they're nuggets—the guilt-free kind.Red Flannel HashBy jAMeSRed flannel hash is just corned beef hash with the addition of beets. It’s traditionally made in New England for breakfast, with leftovers from a boiled dinner the night before, and gets its name from the somewhat obvious similarity of its colors to red flannel plaid cloth.Grilled Turkey Burgers with Cheddar and Smoky AioliBy jAMeSA simple Moroccan-spiced aioli is mixed in with the ground turkey to keep the burgers moist and give them tons of flavor. Smoked paprika is available in the spice aisle of most supermarkets.Andouille and Beef Burgers with Spicy Mayo and Caramelized OnionsBy jAMeSProlific cookbook author James McNair has been chief judge of Sutter Home Winery's burger cook-off since it began in Napa in 1990.Spinach Salad with Bosc Pears, Cranberries, Red Onion, and Toasted HazelnutsBy jAMeSThis spinach salad speaks to all the wonderful autumnal flavors of the Pacific Northwest.Kale Salad with Pinenuts, Currants and ParmesanBy jAMeSIn a surprising twist, Tuscan kale is served raw—and makes for a substantial and satisfying winter salad. Be sure to choose bunches of Tuscan kale with small leaves, which are more tender.