Cranberry

These caramel-dipped fruits look like jewels and add another layer of elegance to the gingerbread roulade.

Kumquats lend their bright citrus snap to a no-cooking-required relish.

A crunchy and colorful salad with a lively dressing. Pomegranate juice and pomegranate seeds can be substituted for the cranberry juice concentrate and cranberries.

This is a free-form tart with a crisp flaky crust topped with crunchy walnuts and sweet/tart cranberries. It is easy to make and an attractive dessert on a holiday table. Serve the galette with crème anglaise or vanilla ice cream.

Colorful bits of cranberries, walnuts, and pistachios make these simple cookies sparkle for the holidays.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 9 1/2 hr (includes cooling and chilling)

Cardamom pods can be found in the spice section of most supermarkets; 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom can be substituted.

White and red wines go equally well with pork. A lightly oaked Chardonnay and a fruity Merlot would be nice.

Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 4 hr

The dried figs add a chewy sweetness to this delicious sauce.

So good — and no cooking required. Prepare the relish at least a day ahead, and add more cardamom before serving if you'd like a stronger flavor.

What to drink: Offer robust French roast coffee, but also a vintage or ruby Port.

Lightly sweetened whipped cream is a nice addition to this delicious dessert.

Pastel de tres leches is a traditional Nicaraguan Celebration Cake usually reserved for the holiday season. In this recipe we preserve the traditional presentation, and add some typical American holiday flavors. The cake is composed of four components: Sponge Cake, Rum Milk Syrup, Meringue, and Cranberry Compote.