Anise

To make the lacy fried pastries called rosettes, you will need a rosette iron, which comes with decoratively shaped attachments such as stars and flowers. The pastries are made by dipping the rosette iron into the batter and then into hot oil.

The combination of anise seed and basil in the following recipe may seem unusual, but it enhances the faint licorice flavor in basil.

Fennel seeds and Pernod, the French anise liqueur, accent this delicate marinade, named after the famous seaport. It is best with fish, shrimp or lobster tails. The recipe makes enough for one pound of fish, with some to spare for spooning over grilled fish. Any marinade coming in contact with raw meat, seafood or poultry must be boiled for one minute before using it for basting.

"Pease porridge in the pot nine days old" fairly well summarizes the technique of stew preparation in Shakespeare's day. A thick soup would have been left cooking for days at a time, with new vegetables, stock, and bits of leftover meat continually added. This Italian version contains rich duck meat, a delicious and unusual addition to pea soup.

Limpa—a moist rye bread from Sweden—is often flavored with aniseed (or fennel), caraway seeds, and orange zest. These same ingredients also come together to produce the following fragrant muffins. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Honey, brandy and spices enhance purchased marmalade for an easy-to-make gift.

Try over frozen yogurt, ice cream, pound cake, or serve with your favorite cookies.

A sweet snack, full of chewy dried cherries and apricots, to nibble or wrap as a gift.

Enjoy the crisp, delicate treats on their own or with ice cream or mousse.

Our Cuban-style mango mojo could enhance any grilled meat, as could the anise-seed rub. Adding our grilled asparagus and herbed bulgur creates a well-rounded meal, but rice and green beans or broccoli would also work. Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 35 min

These easy-to-make treats are delicious on their own or with fresh fruit. Keep them in mind for a hostess gift.