Directions

1. Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. If using grill pan, brush with vegetable oil.
2. Split the apricots in half lengthwise, discarding the pit. Grill flesh-side down for 3-5 minutes or until grill-marks appear and the fruit softens slightly.
3. Remove from heat and transfer to a plate.
4. Drizzle the apricots' grilled side lightly with the balsamic vinegar. Top each one with a dollop of ricotta and freshly-cracked black pepper.

Makes 8 halves.

Directions

1. Combine flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a bowl. Whisk in milk, ricotta and egg. Fold in pine nuts and dried cranberries. The batter should be very thick.
2. Heat vegetable oil in one or two large skillets over medium-high heat. Cook the batter in 1/8-cup increments for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until the edges are dry and the tops bubble slightly. Flip and cook the other side until pancakes are golden-brown on each side.
3. Serve with a dollop of ricotta on the top and a drizzle of honey.

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to directions in salted water.
2. While pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a medium frying pan over high heat. Add the garlic and mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, until garlic is soft and mushrooms start to shrink slightly (about 5 minutes). Add frozen peas and allow to cook just until they thaw (about a minute). Remove from heat.
3. Toss the pasta with the chili oil, garlic-mushroom mixture, peas, mint and Parmesan. Season well with salt and pepper.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Grease an 8" pie plate or square baking dish with a little olive oil. Set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a medium frying pan over medium-low heat. Allow onions to caramelize, slowly, stirring occasionally. This should take 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
4. Beat together eggs, half-and-half, and salt and pepper. Stir in onions and spinach. Pour entire mixture into the greased pan. Sprinkle cheese evenly throughout the top and push down gently to immerse into egg mixture.
5. Pull the rosemary leaves off their stems and scatter throughout. Use a butter knife or spoon to swirl the egg mixture a bit, ensuring that all ingredients are incorporated before baking.
6. Cook for 25-30 minutes or until eggs are set and slightly brown around the edges.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Grease a small rectangular pan. Set aside.
3. Combine baking mix and milk until it forms a sticky dough. Roll out on a lightly floured surface into a 10" x 14" rectangle.
4. In a small bowl, combine 4 tbsp of the butter with the sugar and cinnamon so it forms a paste. Spread a thin layer of the paste over the entire rectangle. Roll up rectangle into a long tube.
5. Use a knife to cut tube into 12 2" spirals. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until golden brown.
6. While biscuits bake, whisk together the remaining butter and the powdered sugar. Drizzle over baked biscuits.
7. Serve hot. Makes 12 biscuits.