Whenever I'm cooking for a crowd and need a recipe that's portable, I always consider pasta salad. It's filling and easy to make a large batch.

What sets this salad apart from the rest is its sun-dried tomato dressing — it's so good, I've even enjoyed it on fish. Made in a blender or food processor, the dressing is a mixture of tomatoes, capers, and garlic, thinned with olive oil and red wine vinegar. A generous handful of parmesan cheese and fresh basil finish off this satisfying salad that only tastes better the next day. Make this easy, yet rewarding, recipe now.

Many people have an aversion to gin; it's a travesty, because gin is an incredibly nuanced and versatile spirit. Erick Castro, owner of San Diego's Polite Provisions and former West Coast ambassador for Beefeater and Plymouth gins, agrees: "The reason people don't like gin is because the most common gin drinks — the martini and the gin and tonic — don't appeal to everyone."

Castro wants to start a gin revolution with this amazing-tasting cocktail, the Southside. This classic concoction is a straightforward mixture of gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and mint, and he believes it has the power to change the way gin is seen — much in the way the mojito changed people's perspective of rum. After sipping this refreshing, light beverage, I'm getting behind Castro's cause. To do so too, give the drink a try.

When the term "cheeseburger" is uttered, orange cheese, American or cheddar, probably comes to mind; that's what, after all, is found in every fast-food joint across the nation. But if you're making a cheeseburger at home, why not think outside the box and melt on a different kind of cheese? Here are some unexpected suggestions:

• Pimento cheese: Spread a liberal tablespoon or two of the Southern condiment, which is made with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and pimentos, on top of pork or beef burgers. It will melt onto the patty and provide the burger with a nice creaminess.
• Parmesan cheese: Why not shave some of this cow's milk cheese on a burger? Parmesan would pair with a burger that's seasoned, like meatballs, and topped with tomato sauce instead of ketchup. Or, for a special crunch, bake disks of grated parmesan until brown and put the cheese crisps on the burger just before serving.
• Nacho cheese: Bobby Flay's creamy nacho cheeseburger has been the talk of burger connoisseurs in years past, and even won him the people's choice award Burger Bash one year. Likewise, it'll win you raves with your family.

Keep reading for more cheesy ideas!

Honey isn't only good stirred into tea; it's also wonderful for sweetening cocktails. In this drink, it adds a lovely floral quality as well as provides a subtle sweetness. With only four ingredients — honey, orange juice, lemon juice, and gin — this libation is fairly simple, but it's sophisticated and perfectly balanced. For those who dislike gin, I recommend trying a different spirit; vodka would be fine, but also a sweeter whiskey or bourbon would be delicious. Ready for the easy recipe? Keep reading.

Recently a friend gave me two dozen eggs from her homegrown chickens. Since farm fresh eggs are one of life's little pleasures, I didn't want to waste any part of these eggs. I also wanted to do more with the eggs than eat them fried.

I wound up preparing a pavlova, a dessert that requires egg whites to create a fluffy and marshmallowy meringue. However, I couldn't throw away the precious yolks, so I came up with five ways to use them. Find out what they are after the break.

When building salads, it's far too easy to get stuck in a rut. You know what works, buy the same ingredients, and inevitably eat green leaf lettuce with black olives, sliced tomatoes, and shredded carrots everyday. However, with a little creativity and an open mind at the grocery store, you can enjoy a fabulous variety of healthful yet crave-worthy salads on a regular basis. To get inspired, take a walk around the produce section and be inspired by the vegetables and fruits you come across. Try a new lettuce or pick up a veggie you're unfamiliar with. Just remember: from crunchy to creamy to crispy, a good salad has an assortment of textures (and colors). Here are a few ways to shake things up in the salad department.

Filling Proteins

• Think beyond grilled chicken: Sliced steak, chunks of pork, and flaked fish are excellent additions. Deli meats, like salami, ham, and turkey are easily shreddable, too.
• Don't forget cheese and nuts:To achieve the aforementioned crunchy and creamy textures, toss in goat or feta cheese and almonds or pine nuts. Hard cheeses, like manchego and parmesan, can be shaved onto the salad, or finely grated into the vinaigrette.
• Grains are all important: Protein-rich grains like quinoa, brown rice, and barley add vegan heft to greens.
• Repurpose leftovers: Toss leftover vegetables, grains, and proteins with greens the next day to make a one-of-a-kind salad.

See more salad-making ideas.

There's something about the warm weather that makes me crave Mexican food. Spicy salsa, cooling guacamole, crunchy chips, and stuffed tacos. Everything is eaten with your hands and it's just so darn delicious. Recently, I gave into a craving and made these scrumptious steak tacos.

This sort of meal is great for entertaining. You simply make (or buy) the fixings and lay them out on the dining table. Then, you grill the beef and let everyone assemble their own tacos. I like this recipe because it doesn't require any marinade time. The meat is rubbed with a flavorful mixture of spices and only takes about 10 minutes to cook.

Give this flank steak taco recipe a chance.

If you're a fan of the margarita, then you've got to try Mexico's most popular tequila drink, the paloma. Traditionally, it's made of tequila and grapefruit soda, and served on the rocks with a lime wedge for garnish. The recipe here is an upscale take on the classic version: instead of grapefruit soda, it's made with fresh grapefruit juice, club soda, and simple syrup.

The resulting cocktail is so tart, refreshing, and balanced, you'll wonder why you've never had one before! Keep reading for the zesty, refreshing recipe.

When strawberries are in season, you can never have too many strawberry cocktails! Instead of mixing the sweet red berries with vodka or gin, why not combine them with tequila for a vibrant twist on the margarita?

This easy recipe is a potent crowd-pleaser that's sure to get the conversation flowing. It may seem like a lot of work to haul out the blender, but trust me, this drink is worth it. It's refreshing and fruity, but salty and strong at the same time: perfection in a glass! Start your party right with strawberry margaritas; here's the recipe.

The next time you get a craving for gooey chorizo-filled queso dip, there's only one thing to do: make this amazing cheese dip! Sure, it has nothing to do with seasonal eating, but that's OK. Sometimes it's nice to break the rules and just enjoy a dip because it tastes really good.

A combination of queso fresco, white cheddar, mozzarella, and goat cheese, this queso is addictive and delicious. To make it vegetarian, simply omit the chorizo. To check out this recipe — I'm definitely making it again! — keep reading.

About once a month or so, I like to make a quiche. Sometimes I'll bake my own pie crust, but other times, when I'm in a hurry, I'll use a premade one from the store. The thing I love about quiche is its timelessness.

It can be enjoyed at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I've even eaten a cold slice as a snack in the afternoon! It's also a great way to use up old and leftover ingredients.

This Mediterranean-inspired quiche is my latest favorite recipe. It's a perfect easy meatless meal, and it's so good you may end up eating half of one quiche in a sitting!

The filling is a combination of sautéed onions, zucchini, red peppers, and sun-dried tomatoes; gruyere and goat cheese provide a luxurious richness. To give it a try, read more

I have a great way for you to celebrate St. Patrick's Day: make your own Irish cream! More commonly known as Baileys, this rich, smooth, and delicious liquor can easily be made in the comforts of your kitchen. The recipe, which requires a blender, is similar to eggnog in that it combines a potent spirit, Irish whiskey, with eggs, cream, and seasonings such as vanilla and coconut extracts.

For a delightful after-dinner drink, serve it chilled or over ice. Homemade Baileys is also a festive gift; I've brought bottles to hostesses and always receive enthusiastic reviews. Get the simple but fantastic recipe.

You're probably scratching your head wondering why this picture, which looks strangely like French onion soup, is labeled Irish onion soup. Well, let me explain. It's a jazzed-up variation of the classic onion- and bread-topped soup that uses two important Irish ingredients: Guinness and aged cheddar cheese.

It has the same flavors as the traditional rendition, but the beer provides a delicious complexity, and the cheese adds a delicate nuttiness. It's so good that it might just be my new favorite French onion soup recipe!

I highly recommend you serve it tonight or on St. Patrick's Day. Learn how to make it now.

Although some people prefer plastic cutting boards because they can be put in the dishwasher, I've always loved large wooden chopping blocks. Perhaps it's because I have fond memories of my father chopping on his custom-made wood cutting board, but there's something that's rustic and cool about old-school boards. Since I'm the proud owner of a giant (and incredibly heavy) new wooden cutting board, I figure it's high time I learned the proper technique for cleaning it. To find out the dos and don'ts of wooden cutting board care, keep on reading.

I was recently shocked to find that my best friend always avoids recipes with simple syrup because she doesn't know how to make it. As I taught her how to put it together, I realized that maybe some of you are like my friend.

Here's the deal with simple syrup: it's used to sweeten everything from drinks to desserts, and is extremely simple to prepare (as its name implies). A classic variation consists of equal parts sugar and water, while a rich simple syrup is two parts sugar to one part water. It keeps in the fridge for up to a month and can be flavored with citrus, herbs, and fruit. To get the uncomplicated technique you'll use over and over again, keep reading.