Festive doesn't have to mean expensive. Cook Catherine Smart shows how to turn economical beef eye-round into a succulent holiday roast as she makes Prune, Peppercorn and Fresh Herb-Rubbed Roast Beef. Then, a British favorite gets a transatlantic twist as Erika Bruce gives us the rundown on Sticky Toffee Pudding. Lynn Clark shows Chris how to make Skillet-Charred Brussels Sprouts. Finally, Chris discusses Sara Moulton's kitchen cabinet essentials.

Meatballs get a makeover as Milk Street Cook Rayna Jhaveri shows Christopher Kimball how to make Turkish Meatballs with Lime-Yogurt Sauce. The recipe borrows a French concept: panade, a bread-based paste that helps keep the meat moist. Chris follows up by explaining the chemistry of the crumbs. Next, Milk Street Cook Catherine Smart shows Chris how to make Israeli Hummus, while Rayna demonstrates a dressing that can perk up any vegetable: Sweet-and-Sour Mint Dressing. Rounding out the show, Milk Street Cook Erika Bruce shows us how versatile tahini, the sesame paste that is key to savory dishes like Hummus, shines equally bright in our ultimate Tahini Swirl Brownies.

Christopher Kimball travels to Chiang Mai, Thailand to get lessons in Thai cooking from Andy Ricker of Pok Pok fame. Thai cooking is all about strong, bright flavors such as fish sauce and lemongrass. Back in the kitchen, Chris and Milk Street Cook Rayna Jhaveri draw on that flavorful palette as they make Thai Fried Rice. Next, Chris shows us how to create a pantry staple: Pickled Chilies. To end the show, Milk Street Cook Matthew Card shows Chris how to make Thai chicken with Chili-Lime Dipping Sauce and Tamarind Dipping Sauce at home.

Christopher Kimball goes to London's Violet Bakery to visit with rising pastry star Claire Ptak. While there, he learns some of her baking techniques, such as under-whipping egg whites for a lighter cake. Back at Milk Street and in the kitchen, he puts that information to work, making Chocolate, Prune and Rum Cake with Milk Street Cook Matthew Card. Next up is Milk Street Cook Erika Bruce who shows Chris how to make a Brown Sugar Tart with our Foolproof Single-Crust Pie Dough. The show ends with Chris explaining how a Japanese baking technique coupled with a cornstarch paste ended his 30-year search for a prebaked pie crust that won't slump in the pan.

Christopher Kimball visits world traveler and cookbook author Fuchsia Dunlop in London to learn about the Chinese approach to cooking. He learns how to get perfectly cooked chicken every time by focusing on the meat, not the skin. Back at Milk Street, those techniques get put into action as Milk Street Cook Catherine Smart shows Chris how to make Chinese White-Cooked Chicken with Ginger-Soy Dressing. Next, Chris demonstrates why an Asian cleaver just may have the edge over the ubiquitous Western chef's knife. The show ends with a little sizzle on set as Milk Street Cook Matthew Card shows how to make Hot Oil-Flashed Chard with Ginger, Scallions and Chili at home.