Lora Zarubin

There's something about salty-sweet treats that we find irresistible (and we know we're not alone). Here, as the dates bake they get deliciously sweet and caramely. And the salty part? That comes from the crispy pancetta-and the warm cheese.

Two Italian cheeses (Fontina and Parmesan) lend an Italian flair to these tiny sandwiches. Brushing the bread with sage-infused butter and topping each sandwich with a sage leaf adds flavor—and visual appeal.

Here's a great accompaniment for roast chicken or the perfect side dish to bring to a potluck feast.

Gremolata is an Italian garnish traditionally made with finely chopped parsley, garlic, and lemon zest. Clementines add intriguing flavor, and the green gremolata looks beautiful against the white fish.

Clementines provide the orange flavoring in this update of a classic cocktail. Chill the Martini glasses in the freezer for a few hours beforehand. Hendrick’s Gin, a smooth Scottish gin infused with cucumber and rose petals, is worth seeking out: It is the perfect choice for this drink.

Adding grated orange peel amps up the melon's flavor, and layering whipped cream with the icy granita makes for an intriguing contrast of both texture and temperature.

This is ideal hot-weather fare. For thinly slicing both the melon and the celery, we like the 10.5-inch mandoline by Kyocera ($23; cooking.com).

The salsa has a perfect sweet-spicy balance, and it's an easy way to turn simple grilled chicken breasts into a dish that's dinner-party special.

Here's a terrific new version of the classic melon-and prosciutto-pairing. For added color, use a mix of different melons.

Penne, a tubular, pointed pasta, looks great alongside the zucchini blossoms.

This fast-cooking frittata has a lighter texture than most.

In a clever switch, a zucchini blossom stands in for the traditional sage-leaf topping. A terrific dinner-party dish.

Bright apple flavor, plus a surprising tanginess. This sweet puree is a nice change of pace from the usual mashed potatoes.

A refreshingly tart version of classic cranberry sauce. If you want it sweeter, just add more sugar.

Lime juice gives these simply lovely carrots bright flavor.

Fresh fennel, rosemary, and crème fraîche give mashed potatoes added appeal.

Serve any leftovers for breakfast, or as a light supper with salad.

This dish has an ideal combination of flavors and textures: soft and crunchy; sweet and nutty.