858 bitter recipes

Fresh berry cobbler loaded with strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries under brown sugar drop biscuits baked in individual ramekins.

Hot buttered cider spiked with rum and simmered with whole cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and lemon peel. A warming spiked apple drink topped with a melting pat of butter.

Poppy seed cake made with real vanilla bean and a folded meringue for an incredibly light, tender crumb. Topped with cream cheese frosting for a classic finish.

Brussels sprouts with soy sauce, butter, and sliced water chestnuts for an Asian-inspired twist on a classic vegetable side dish. Simple, quick, and diabetic-friendly.

Scotch mock apple pie: a Depression-era trick that uses soda crackers, lemon juice, and warm spices to taste exactly like apple pie. No apples required.

Texas barbecued beef brisket rubbed with paprika and pepper, slow-cooked over very low coals for 6 to 7 hours, and served with a homemade ketchup-based barbecue sauce from the pan drippings.

Yeasted anise biscotti from Genoa, made with a sponge starter for a lighter, bread-like crumb. Twice-baked with butter and aniseed, these are nothing like ordinary biscotti.

Gooey butter pecan bars layered with melted marshmallows, chocolate chips, and coconut on a cake mix crust. A 5-minute prep, no-fuss dessert bar that disappears at every potluck and bake sale.

Boozy frozen pie with an Oreo crust, coffee-spiked chocolate ice cream filling, and hot fudge topping. An adults-only dessert named after a beautiful barrier island.

Chewy ginger cookies made with prune butter instead of fat, loaded with warm spices and molasses. Low-fat but big on flavor with crispy edges and soft centers.

Striped bass fillets baked in white wine and lemon butter, finished with a velvety cream sauce enriched with egg yolks, tomatoes, mushrooms, and shallots. French-inspired elegance for a crowd.

No-knead French bread with a golden egg-washed crust and poppy seeds. The dough develops flavor through gentle stirring every 10 minutes instead of traditional kneading.

Roasted duck with a green peppercorn and star anise sauce made from homemade duck giblet broth. The duck is salt-poached first, then roasted until crispy. A refined French-inspired main course.

These no-bake energy bars are delicious yet nutritious. They are easy to make, and handy to pick up.

Chewy drop cookies loaded with chocolate-covered raisins and toasted almonds. Makes 5 dozen in just 25 minutes. A fun, crunchy cookie that kids love to help bake.

Red pepper garlic sauce made from fresh-juiced bell peppers and garlic, thickened with arrowroot and finished with red wine. A vibrant, naturally sweet sauce for grilled meats and fish.