Mango

Blended drinks called batidas (or licuados) are served at fruit bars throughout Latin America. Milk or freshly squeezed orange juice is used as the base, then fruit is added and the mixture is blended to the consistency of a thick shake. Batidas are often enjoyed as a mid-morning or afternoon snack, but they're also delicious as cocktails later in the day. We tried various kinds of sugar to rim the glasses — from coarse crystals of sanding sugar to small grains of granulated sugar — and the only difference is in the appearance.

If desired, the smoothie can be strained to remove the berry seeds, but the seeds contain lots of beneficial dietary fiber.

Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 2 1/2 hr

A gastrique is a mixture of caramelized sugar (or, in this case, sweet preserves) and vinegar often used in savory dishes made with fruit.

Offer some butter cookies alongside this dessert, which makes a lovely presentation.

Tangy buttermilk custards are a delicious foil for sweet tropical fruit.

"Inventing desserts is my passion," says Laura Gambrill of Washington, D.C.. "This is a twist on an all-time favorite, bananas Foster. The mango, crystallized ginger and pineapple complement the banana and rum nicely — and so does the toasted coconut that I sprinkle on top."

Katie occasionally substitutes a couple of Fuyu persimmons for the mango. The pecans are nice on their own as a snack.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Halibut steaks and pork tenderloin are two of our favorites with this fiery side.

Wonton wrappers are used for these samosas instead of traditional pastry dough. Betelnut Pejiu Wu in San Francisco serves them with a tropical chutney.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.