1. JAY-Z: About 8 years ago, I was working out in my gym having a private Muay Thai kickboxing lesson in the boxing ring. When we were done, I went to leave the ring, and this guy in a hoodie who already had his wraps and gloves on, put his arm/hand out to me, and I didn't understand what he wanted, so I just slapped him five!
Gruyere Thyme Crackers
From
Martha Stewart
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme, plus extra sprigs for garnish
3 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup finely grated (2 1/2 ounces) Gruyere cheese
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
- Combine flour, salt, pepper, and thyme in the bowl of a food processor; pulse to combine.
- Add butter; pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add cheese; pulse until combined. With machine running, add the milk; process until dough comes together and is well combined.
- Transfer dough to a work surface.
Vanilla Rum Colas
From
Martha Stewart
Small ice cubes
3 cups cola
1 cup plus 2 tbsp. dark rum
3/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract
6 orange wedges or 4 sliced kumquats
- For each drink, fill a glass 3/4 full with ice.
- Add 1/2 cup cola, 3 tbsp.

French Onion Soup
Modified from
Bon Appétit magazine and
Martha Stewart
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
6 onions (about 3 pounds), sliced
6 garlic cloves, sliced
1 bay leaf
3 springs fresh thyme
1 tsp. sugar
1 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1/2 cup dry sherry
6 cups canned beef broth
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
6-8 sourdough bread slices, toasted
8 ounces pecorino romano cheese, grated on the large holes of a box grater (about 3 cups)
- Melt butter in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot on medium-low heat.
Expert Heart Cake
From Matt Lewis of
Baked
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 tbsp. red food coloring
6 tbsp. unsalted butter, , room temperature
1 tbsp.