Every time I ask what I can bring to a dinner/party/family gathering and someone says “an appetizer,” I set into an immediate panic. I can never think of anything exciting to make. This pea pesto crostini recipe from Giada at Home, brings together a few great elements: pesto (hard not to love), peas (convenient, and always in your freezer) and crostini (how easy is it to cut and grill some bread?).

In Italy, as in the United States, steak and eggs are a classic combination. But while you’ll most often find the dish on breakfast menus here, Italians would be more likely to eat it at lunchtime, their most substantial meal of the day. Serve this recipe from Giada at Home: Family Recipes from Italy and California (Clarkson Potter, 2010) by Giada De Laurentiis on a bed of greens, such as arugula, and serve slices of rustic bread alongside to sop up the runny yolk and meat juices. Steak, salad, egg, and bread—what more could you want, any time of day?

A few years ago, I still purchased pre-made tomato sauce. Now, I can’t say that I never do that anymore, but I have found that the ease of making my own has really persuaded me to do so almost exclusively. I have a few go-to’s for sauces, and Giada De Laurentiis is one of them. This version of Basic Marinara Sauce is so simple and delicious – I promise – that you will want to double the recipe and freeze a ton of it for future dinners.

Sweet or savory, bread puddings are definitely a treat. For maximum flavor, this recipe from Weeknights with Giada (Clarkson Potter, 2012) by Giada De Laurentiis calls for a multigrain bread. Combined with fresh tomatoes and fragrant basil, this makes a great side dish or even vegetarian main course.

In need of some special cookies to put out for Santa Claus tonight? Look no further than this recipe for Chocolate-Hazelnut Drop Cookies from Weeknights with Giada (Clarkson Potter, March 2012) by Giada De Laurentiis. They’re a scrumptious holiday treat!