Salty black olive breadsticks.

These beautiful breadsticks are crazy-easy to make, and you can flavor them in a number of different ways. This variation features zingy black olives.

Grape and goat cheese appetizers.

This great appetizer recipe for grapes wrapped in goat cheese would make a perfect pre-Thanksgiving nibble.

The Clara Project: chocolate roll cake.

This classic chocolate-roll cake recipe is filled with orange-flavored whipped cream. It’s super easy to make for a dinner party.

Beautiful fresh fig tart.

This simple recipe for fresh fig tart with almonds is an Italian classic. Make this while figs are in season.

Easy bread-making: homemade focaccia.

If you want to experiment with baking bread at home, focaccia is a good starter project. And this recipe is easy and flexible.

The Clara Project: Lazy daisy cake.

This old-fashioned cake recipe has a charming name — the Lazy Daisy Cake — and it’s as easy to make (and love) as its name suggests.

In praise of: the chop salad.

There’s something about a really good chop salad: tons of flavorful ingredients, an herb-y vinaigrette and the perfect combination of textures.

The Clara Project: Twin mountain muffins.

Ever heard of Twin Mountain Muffins? This muffin recipe is now my go-to for breakfast. It’s easy, foolproof, and you can add your own favorite ingredients.