Nut

"Celery is the perfect vehicle for a salty, assertive dressing like this one. Chiles and peanuts make it that much more addictive." —Alison Roman, senior associate food editor

Some great things are made with day-old bread: French toast. Croutons. Breadcrumbs. Add the nutty and sugary French pastry bostock to the list.

Does Bloomfield's roast chicken recipe take work? Yes, but the results—from the drippings-soaked sourdough toasts to the glossy pan sauce—are transcendent.

A version of this recipe helped Danny Bowien win the Pesto World Championship in Italy in 2008. He was kind enough to let us adapt it a bit.

If you can find candied chestnuts, simply toss them in the cocoa with one tablespoon of brown sugar (no need to glaze them first).

"At home I cook quick, healthy, and vegetarian," the chef says. Cue this soy-and-ginger-marinated tofu (no cooking required!) that tastes way better than takeout.

Don't worry.you won't need to buy any crabs to make these mind-altering wings. The crab flavor comes from a jarred condiment that's pretty easy to find at Asian markets; if not, use the shrimp version.

Ellsworth uses creamy bomba rice and orange-flower water to make an elevated rice pudding for her daughter—for breakfast: "It's a weekend treat."

Top your sundaes with chocolate sauce and macerated raspberries for an easy summer dessert.

Rich, buttery parmesan and pine nuts balance out the bitter flavor that is characteristic of broccoli rabe. Serve this classic Italian side dish with steak Florentine or porchetta, or try it in a sandwich if you have leftovers.

Not your ordinary side of rice. Two types means more textures to layer with crunchy nuts and tender beans.

This fresh and filling salad gets gently tossed with a creamy, garlicky tahini dressing and topped with fresh herbs and crunchy walnuts.

Don't peel the peaches; simply rub off the fuzz with a damp paper towel.

A super-juicy watermelon is key; it should feel heavy for its size and sound hollow when tapped.

Because of the brothy marinade, the skin won't get as crisp as with other roast chickens, but the flesh will be so tender, you'll want to eat it with your hands.

Cooked summer squash can be mushy. Solution: Eat it raw. If you can't find buckwheat groats, use chopped toasted almonds instead.

This addictive peanut-and-seed mix has "unbeatable summer snack" written all over it. It's got just the right amount of salty-spicy crunch to keep you reaching for another beer, and another handful, and another beer... —A.M.

Smoked almonds highlight the bananas' grilled flavors in this 5-ingredient dessert. While you can grill ripe bananas that have some black spots, they're easier to move around if they are completely yellow and slightly firm.