Main Meats

Any region with winter (like us) welcomes a holiday like National Meatball Day with open arms. We can't think of a food culture that doesn't make a great meatball — we've got your standard Italian meatballs, but we've also got Cambodian, Swedish, Mexican, Hungarian, Moroccan and sliders (which are a cuisine in themselves). Check 'em out!

I use venison fillet in this recipe, as it is incredibly tender and quick to cook – allow 5 1/2 ounces per person. Because it has no fat, the meat should be cooked rare to medium-rare. I like to serve this roast with spaetzle.

Los Angeles-based Micah Wexler is executive chef of West Hollywood's Mezze, a James Beard Rising Star nominee and a graduate of Cornell's Hotel School. Focusing his attention on upscale, modern Mediterranean and Israeli cuisine, Wexler is definitely the guy to turn to for your updated Rosh Hashanah brisket recipe.