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Blanching the spinach before blending helps this broccoli soup recipe retain a vibrant green color. Parsley would work in place of the cilantro.

Thinner links of merguez sausage are ideal for these nibbles, but if you can’t find them, just halve larger ones lengthwise into quarters before wrapping in pastry.

For a slightly more casual vibe, pack this sweet-and-savory mixture into a jar and serve with a knife for spreading on the toasts.

The beets are steam-roasted till tender, then deep-fried, so you don’t have to worry about cooking them through after they’re breaded.

Intentionally burning vegetables—it’s a thing! The burnt onion powder adds a smoky, slightly bitter finish to the rich dip, and is responsible for the black part of this tuxedo-inspired crudite.

Be sure to strain the tomatoes before topping the pie in this pizza margherita recipe. If you don't, the extra liquid could lead to a soggy crust.

A lighter, smoother, more grown-up guacamole.

Aguachile is a chile and citrus dressing that’s often paired with raw fish. You’ll want to drink this veggie version right from the platter.

Weeknight chowder? Use clam juice. Weekend? It’s worth making fish stock from scratch.

You’ve probably never seen smoked swordfish before, but you probably weren’t looking. Find it at Mexican, Spanish, or other specialty grocers, or at a well-stocked fish market.

Chef Philip Krajeck serves a similar dish at Rolf and Daughters in Nashville; his hazelnut broth adds a clever layer of flavor.

We’re into the ruffles-on-ruffles look you get from using savoy, but green cabbage is great in its place.

All you need are your hands, some friends, and permission to get a little messy.

Simmering vegetables in a covered pot over low heat so that they steam in their own liquid—a French technique called à l'étouffée—is the ticket to achieving a soup with pronounced depth. We love this method with cauliflower, but also try it with celeriac or rutabagas.

The butter (yep, a whole stick) mellows the tart lemon sauce and is key to the finished texture.

We love the color and texture you get from using a combination, but any single root vegetable can be used here, too.

If you’re not a lamb person, ground beef will also taste great.

Put a tray of these in the oven when the first guests show up.

Membrillo lends subtle sweetness to the dressing; look for it at any well-stocked cheese counter.

C'mon, who doesn't love edamame? Consider this recipe the adults-only version; sautéed, spicy, and highly snackable.

The pickled hard-boiled eggs are a great snack on their own—they’re sold individually at Shed in Healdsburg, California.

You might have more of the salsas than you need; serve them on the side for dipping. This is part of BA's Best, a collection of our essential recipes.

Indian grocers sell prepared tamarind chutney, which you can easily substitute for the homemade version here.

Two key steps ensure extra-crisp wings: letting them sit at room temperature evens the cooking time, and the cornstarch dredge transforms into a crunchy shell when fried. If you like your wing sauce super spicy, increase the amount of cayenne in our best hot wings recipe. This is part of BA's Best, a collection of our essential recipes.