I was recently leafing through Michele Scicolone’s cookbook “The Antipasto Table”, coming across a recipe that I tried over seven years ago… and yes, it sounds like a bizarre combo.

This flavorful shredded beef can be cooked ahead and added to your favorite dish. I like to use it for burritos, tacos, and enchiladas

Sweet, salty, and spicy, this pineapple salsa is a great way to dress up any plain jane dish. If you prefer more heat in your salsa, you can add one chopped jalapeño.

Nut butters are great for making baked goods and sauces. I love the sweet mellow taste of cashews, but if cashew butter is not in your budget, replace it with peanut butter instead.
 

Smoothies can be a no-mess way to get in vital nutrients that you may be lacking in your everyday diet, like vitamin C and calcium. They are superfast to whip up and the creamy texture can help fight cravings for sweets and frozen treats.

Anyone who has minimal cooking experience will like this recipe - even my husband, the reluctant cook. Just be sure not to overcook the snow peas.

Christmas fruitcakes are heavy and dense, but this tender lemon pound cake can be part of your new holiday tradition. It has the candied fruit that makes it festive without using red and green food coloring.

Sesame seeds add a delicate crunch to these spicy treats. I like it when the cookies soften up as they are stored, but my husband is a crisp cookie fan, so I reheat them for a few minutes in a warm oven before serving the second day.

I grate or chop my veggies ahead of time to speed up the prep time on busy holiday mornings. You can even assemble this entire dish the night before cold and just pop it into the oven as your guests arrive.

Tart and sweet cranberry sauce adds color to any holiday meal. This mess-free recipe is a cinch to make and can be made up to three days in advance. Just refrigerate in an air-tight container.