Hazelnut

Can be made in 45 minutes or less.

This Italian version of fruitcake is dense, chewy and candy-like. Wrap it in brightly colored cellophane for giving.

A rustic tart with a delicious hazelnut crust, sweet filling and buttery topping.

This nucato is related to the delicious nougat noir ("black nougat") still made in the southern French town of Sisteron. But here, there is an additional pleasant surprise when you taste it: the perfumed bite of spices. This is a perfect treat for Christmastime.

A real winner: Delicate "purses" of phyllo pastry hold a banana and hazelnut filling. They're served with white chocolate sauce and a crunchy hazelnut crumble.

Favorite Italian flavors — espresso and hazelnut — come together in these appealing treats.

Hazelnuts and wild mushrooms - popular ingredients from Oregon and Washington - add terrific flavor and texture to this sophisticated stuffing.

This is a simplified version of the appetizer served at Olives, where the scallops are skewered with bacon before they are cooked.

Schwarzwälder Torte Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 4 hr (includes cooling meringues)

"For me, cooking has always been a way to wind down and relax," writes Mark Van Wye of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. "I'm a writer and I work from home, so depending on how busy things are, I can spend hours preparing a meal. But I also like to be ready to whip up dinner at the drop of a hat. The recipes here are just two of a handful of standbys I rely on when last-minute company is coming or a deadline has kept me out of the kitchen." This sophisticated starter would lend an elegant touch to any special meal.

People who turn their noses up at rice often find this tiny pasta irresistible. Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 40 min

Instead of the usual salty spiced nuts before dinner, these are served after dessert, with coffee.

Peppery arugula, sweet, ripe strawberries, and buttery hazelnuts create layers of contrasting flavor in this simple salad.

This is the pastry version of the popular Franco-German dessert.

The coating on these nuts is wonderfully delicate, and the method couldn't be simpler.