127 dark recipes

Salmagundi casserole with chili-spiced meatballs baked over a three-bean base of baked beans, kidney beans, and limas in a sweet molasses and brown sugar sauce.

Canterbury jumbles: chewy, generously loaded drop cookies with shredded coconut, macadamia nuts, raisins, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. The everything-but-the-kitchen-sink cookie that lives up to its name.

Cold egg noodles tossed in a creamy Sichuan peanut sauce with sesame oil, chili oil, lime, and dark soy, topped with shredded chicken, green beans, scallions, and cilantro. Served at room temperature.

Hearty vegetarian Indian curry with potatoes, sweet potatoes, eggplant, zucchini, turnips, and green beans in a chickpea flour gravy spiced with ginger, tamarind, and fresh coriander.

A thick Kentucky-style burgoo loaded with chicken, beef shank, bacon, fresh corn, lima beans, okra, and tomatoes. Low and slow in a big Dutch oven for a crowd-feeding stew.

Death by chocolate: a layered chocolate masterpiece of brownie, cocoa meringue, chocolate and mocha mousse, all under glossy ganache. A multi-day project built for serious chocolate lovers.

This frozen peanut butter pie has a crunchy chocolate crust and is served with warm caramel sauce.

Massive pot of black bean cassoulet soup with garlic sausage, Italian sausage, bratwurst, and a meaty ham bone. Simmered for 5 hours with sherry, brown sugar, and lemon. Feeds 16.

Hearty black bean cassoulet soup loaded with three kinds of sausage, a meaty ham bone, cumin, oregano, and a splash of dry sherry. Feeds a crowd of 16 with a sour cream finish.

Showstopper pecan pie with homemade toffee crunch, caramel sauce drizzle, and pastry-leaf crust decoration. A Thanksgiving centerpiece that earns every compliment.

Szechuan noodle salad with fettuccine in a spicy peanut sauce made with ginger, garlic, chili paste, and sesame oil, surrounded by julienned vegetables and ham.

Javanese peanut pasta with fettuccine tossed in a spicy peanut sauce made from chunky peanut butter, soy sauce, ginger, and rice vinegar. Topped with coconut and cucumber.

Slow cooker beef and pork chili with secret Southern twists: bacon drippings, coffee, cocoa, and a touch of sugar for deep complexity. Simmer for hours until thick and rich.

Stir-fried vegetable stew drenched in a spicy peanut sauce with ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Loaded with broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and bell peppers. Ready in 30 minutes.

Recipe by Mathew Metcalfe - Adapted for North American measurements. It's a complex dessert with a serious wow factor, many elements could be used on their own in various ways to dress up other desserts.