• Adjust rack to top position (top and middle positions for 4 servings) and preheat oven to 425 degrees. Bring 3 TBSP butter (6 TBSP for 4) to room temperature. Wash and dry produce. • Slice baguette crosswise into 8 rounds (16 rounds for 4). Thinly slice chives. • Spread sliced baguette out on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Toast on top rack until golden brown, 5-10 minutes. (For 4, if necessary, divide rounds between two baking sheets; toast on top and middle racks.) • Place ricotta in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper. Spread ricotta onto toasted baguette; drizzle with hot honey. Sprinkle with walnuts and half the chives. • Serve with your favorite beverage for snacking while you prepare the rest of the meal. TIP: Prefer to serve the crostini with the main course? Toast now and assemble right before serving!

• Dice potatoes into 1/2-inch pieces; place in a medium pot with enough salted water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, 15-20 minutes. • Drain and return potatoes to pot. Keep covered off heat until ready to mash.

• Meanwhile, place peppercorns in a zip-close bag and crush with a heavy-bottomed pan or rolling pin; pour onto a plate and spread out in an even layer. Trim and discard woody bottom ends from asparagus. • Pat beef* dry with paper towels; season all over with salt. Press both sides of beef into peppercorns to evenly coat. TIP: For a milder flavor, sprinkle beef with peppercorns instead.

• Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook almost to desired doneness, 4-7 minutes per side. • Add stock concentrate and 2 TBSP water (3 TBSP for 4 servings). Simmer until sauce has thickened and beef reaches desired doneness, 1-2 minutes more. Turn beef to coat. • Turn off heat; transfer beef and sauce to a shallow dish. Wipe out pan.

• Heat a drizzle of oil in pan used for beef over medium-high heat. Add asparagus and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until lightly browned and tender, 3-5 minutes. Transfer to a plate. • Return pan to medium-high heat and add almonds; cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, about 1 minute. • Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a second small bowl.

• Mash potatoes with a potato masher or fork until smooth. (TIP: If potatoes have cooled, mash over medium-low heat.) Stir in sour cream, crème fraîche, 1 TBSP softened butter (2 TBSP for 4 servings; you’ll use the rest in the next step) and as much truffle zest as you like until combined. (TIP: Start with a pinch of truffle zest, then taste and add more from there if desired.) Season generously with salt and pepper.

In a third small microwave-safe bowl, combine remaining 2 TBSP softened butter (4 TBSP for 4 servings), 1 tsp remaining chives (2 tsp for 4), salt, and pepper. TIP: If butter is still cold, microwave 5-10 seconds. • Divide beef, mashed potatoes, and asparagus between plates. Sprinkle asparagus with almonds. Top beef with chive butter. Garnish with any remaining chives and serve. • Serve cheesecakes for dessert.