Buttery soft sirloin develops deep flavor after a short soak in a spicy rub spiked with jalapeño peppers, chili powder and fresh lime. Pan roasting gives this marinated beef a crusty char and a tender, juicy center.

Homemade restaurant-style salsa is way better than the stuff in the jar – fresh and vibrant, exploding with the flavors of tomatoes, jalapenos, green chiles and lime.

Decadent White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies are soft and moist, and jammed with shards of white chocolate and big chunks of buttery macadamia nuts,

Homemade double chocolate pudding is rich and dark, cool and creamy, luxuriously chocolatey and bittersweet.

This Cashew Chicken Salad Bowl has all of the elements of the original dish:  tender chicken, crunchy meaty cashews, chewy brown rice, and a dressing that brings all the flavors of a stir-fry sauce – soy, sesame and ginger, with rice vinegar and lime for bite, miso for creamy depth, and honey for a touch of sweetness.

Antipasto – an abundant and colorful spread of cured meats, cheeses and vegetables in a garlicky vinaigrette – is a traditional Italian appetizer that also makes a fun and casual main dish.

Spicy Orange Shrimp and Broccoli is a restaurant-quality stir-fry of soft, sweet shrimp and crispy, vibrant green broccoli in a thick and glossy, spicy-sweet orange sauce.

On the first night of Spring, I made a casual but special dinner of pickle-brined fried chicken with creamy mac and cheese and crisp green beans on the side, with chocolate-covered graham cracker cookies for dessert.

A quick, two-ingredient caramel sauce, plus toasted pecans and a drizzle of dark chocolate transform store-bought crackers into over-the-top graham cracker cookies in this old, family recipe.

The Blues has many sounds and styles and I love them all. This playlist just scratches the surface, with a slightly eclectic collection of my favorites.