13 nicola recipes

Filet mignon seared rare, deglazed with port wine, and baked under a creamy mushroom sauce with creme fraiche and beef broth. An elegant French-style steak served with potato noisettes.

Greek souvlaki with lamb or pork marinated overnight in olive oil, lemon, white wine, garlic, and oregano then grilled on skewers. Includes a smart make-ahead method for parties.

Nicole's cheesecake features a sugar-cookie crumb crust, a cornstarch-stabilized cream cheese filling, and a sprinkle of crumbs on top. A quick 1-hour square cheesecake, no water bath needed.

St. Nicholas cookies are buttery, spiced Dutch-style holiday cookies loaded with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and chopped almonds. Slice-and-bake or press into carved wooden molds.

Baked lamb shanks braised in tomato sauce with oregano, onion, and parsley. Slow-roasted until the meat falls off the bone in a simple, Greek-style tomato braise.

Old-fashioned lemon meringue pie with a cornstarch-thickened filling, real lemon juice and zest, and a golden billowy meringue topping. Tart, sweet, and absolutely classic.

Traditionally baked during 'Sinterklaas', a feast on 5 December (6 December in Belgium and Germany) on which little children receive gifts from the holy St. Nicholas, the partial inspiration for Santa Claus. In Germany, Pfeffernüsse are traditionally made during the Christmas season.

Japanese pickled cauliflower brined in cola, white wine vinegar, and sugar with bell pepper and celery. A quirky, sweet-tangy quick pickle ready overnight.

Easy cola beef pot roast braised in cola and chicken broth with onion, carrot, and peas. Surprising soda-tenderized beef with a glossy, sweet-savory sauce.

Cola roast made with beef bottom round braised low and slow in cola, chili sauce, Worcestershire, and hot pepper sauce. Fork-tender with a sweet-savory glaze.

Slow cooker cola steak made with round steak braised in cola and ketchup for 8 to 10 hours. The cola tenderizes the beef and creates a sweet, tangy gravy with almost no effort.

Fork-tender pot roast braised in cola, tomatoes, and Italian seasonings until it falls apart. The Coca-Cola breaks down the meat fibers while adding subtle caramel sweetness to the gravy.

This Southern-style Coca Cola basted ham gets slow-baked in cola, then coated with a brown sugar mustard glaze that caramelizes into a sticky, crackling crust. Feeds a crowd of 12 with bold, sweet-smoky flavor.