This year I am honored to be one of the judges for the AOL Lifestyle Food Awards where me and 14 other food bloggers and lifestyle experts rate and rank their favorite new kitchen toys and provide their signature recipe. 

Everyone needs a good meat sauce in his or her back pocket. I know a lot of Italians will have a problem with cream and cheese in this sauce, and it goes just as well without – feel free to differ in your opinion. Like a sweeter sauce? Add 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers (like my Mom!) or 2 diced carrots. My favorite ways to eat this sauce include pasta, M.Y.O.P and best of all – on a crusty loaf of bread.

I love this recipe. To me, the aroma of roast chicken symbolizes home, family and love. What’s even better is that ingredients can be substituted for shallots, lemon and garlic. Or make it a party and invite all the ingredients – and your friends.
 

You’re gonna love me. My mission has been and always will be that cooking dinner can happen in 15 minutes and use one pan… especially for Lady Lair LIVE. Want to save even more time? Skip the store bought pizza dough (although, come on it’s pretty easy) and use naan or pita bread. Don’t want to make labneh, that’s cool, use a high quality ricotta cheese. Best part, dress your own to show your true sense of style. You got this girl.

Cod is the Plain Jane white fish of the sea so imagine this is its chance for a makeover. For tonight dinner, confit (which means to cook in fat) filets of cod using extra virgin olive oil, herbs, spices and aromatic lemon slices to create a pantry driven dish that feels elegant and oh-so- French.

I mean, is there any dish sexier (but not sexy looking) than Coq Au Vin? It's like the sexy bed head of culinary world. Its got this element you can't get unless there's a little rough and tumble. Soak this chicken in wine overnight. If you don't want to make your own stock - that's ok, I don't judge. The secret ingredients are mustard and castelvetrano olives. 

Why make three dishes when you can make 1? This dish is the equivalent to Linguine & Clams marrying Cacio e Pepe and having an affair with Mac & Cheese. It’s. Just. Perfection. This is what 2017 was made of.

These are the Best Beef Meatballs, they just are. Trust me. They're also super easy, cheap and can be made in under 30 minutes. 

Okay, so I lied. This isn't exactly a "hot dog" recipe but it tastes pretty darn similar. Here's an exclusive look at one of my favorite recipes from the cookbook, available April 1st. 

Pork really is the new white meat. In fact, I’d gander that pork tenderloin is this decade’s boneless chicken breast – but better. By better, I mean more flavorful. What I love most about this recipe is that it mimics the flavors of a hot dog (quite possibly my favorite food) but in a healthier and dinner setting. Bam!

Pork is the new white meat. I enjoy it loined, chopped or as bacon, duh! Here’s a winter warm that calls for one pan and as little as five ingredients, (hint: you can omit the butter, garlic, shallots). 

Turkey Meatballs. Tip: Corny, but using your “pizza parlor” spices (aka dried oregano and red pepper flakes) easily creates the nostalgic taste of Italian-American comfort food without fuss or time. 

Poached eggs mystify people and they shouldn’t. Prep ahead (yep you can do this) and reheat in a water bath in a low oven for the perfect ta-da! brunch dish that will make you look like a superstar.

Cooking for someone is sexy. Getting cooked for is even sexier.