Spreads

Cerignola and Castelvetrano olives are big, briny, meaty, and sweet. If unavailable, use other types, or simplify with just one.

Looks like a perfectly innocent bowl of apricot jam, burns like a bright and fruity pepper jelly.

Available in the spring, green garlic is somewhat less intense than grown-up garlic, but still very pungent and extra-juicy. The dairy fat and tang of the labneh provide cooling balance.

Try this as a dip, on crackers with smoked fish, or over hard-boiled eggs.

Try this with white beans on toast, in salads, or puréed and spread on pita.

Try this schmeared on toast, tossed with pasta, or dolloped on a baked potato.

Vadouvan is sweeter and more aromatic than the typical curry, but Madras curry powder will work in a pinch.

Spend some time making this, and you'll have an easy, fast way to add nuanced flavor.

This spread is definitely horseradish-forward. If you’re not sure if that’s your thing, start with half the amount.

If your jam mixture is still runny after the gel test, simmer a few minutes longer and try again. Just be careful: It's possible to overcook jam. If subjected to too much heat, pectin loses its setting power.

If your jam mixture is still runny after the gel test, simmer a few minutes longer and try again. Just be careful: It's possible to overcook jam. If subjected to too much heat, pectin loses its setting power.

Be patient: The goal is to char the eggplants beyond recognition.

There’s a method to making baba ghanoush. And it applies to way more than eggplant.

There’s a method to making baba ghanoush. And it applies to way more than eggplant.

Choose a mild and creamy Gorgonzola for this dip—and then smear it on everything you can.

There’s a method to making baba ghanoush. And it applies to way more than eggplant.

This recipe for the triangular filled sweets eaten during the Jewish holiday of Purim yields tender, buttery cookies.

A lighter, smoother, more grown-up guacamole.

The effort-to-impressiveness ratio doesn’t get much better than this, people. Go ahead and double (Triple! Quadruple!) this recipe and you’ve got hostess gifts, emergency entertaining fodder, and quick, decadent snacks for days.

Quince is like a special giant fuzzy apple, worth taking advantage of when in season.

This savory mixture lands somewhere between dip and spread but it's dead on delicious. Like a holiday cheeseball...minus the cheese.

Warm spices and sweet dried fruit are a perfect pair for rich turkey meat.

Tart, sour, and just as refreshing as ye olde cranberry sauce.

Let your cheese ball hang out in the fridge until firm. It will be easier to roll in the nuts.