Parsley

Decadent and inimitably French, this recipe was inspired by Jacques Drouot, manager of Le Dôme in Paris. Any leftover fresh truffle can be shaved over scrambled eggs, pasta, or risotto. Jarred truffles are an option, too, but don't have the same intensity of flavor. Or the truffles can be omitted altogether.

Start with Belgian endive spears filled with caviar of red salmon, golden whitefish or black lumpfish. Serve with your favorite Champagne or Chardonnay.

Try these flavorful meatballs on their own, in a tomato sauce or in a submarine sandwich.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.

Tabbouleh is made with bulgur, but we decided to shake things up a bit by mixing tabbouleh flavors (parsley, tomato, and lemon) with rice and lentils, a common Middle Eastern pairing. Served chilled or at room temperature, the salad is terrific with any meat, poultry, or fish. You could add chickpeas, corn, or more lentils for a vegetarian main course. Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 40 min

(Cacciucco) This seafood soup, called cacciucco (meaning "mixture"), is a specialty of Livorno, a fishing port that is Tuscany's second-largest city. It has been made for hundreds of years, and variations of it appear all along the Tuscan coast. Traditionally, at least five types of fish and shellfish are included (one for each "c" in the name). If you like, do as the Italians do, and place a slice of toasted bread in each bowl before ladling the soup over.

These twice-fried artichokes, or carciofi alla giudea, are made using a technique created by Jewish cooks in Rome. The first frying is done at a lower heat and simply cooks the artichokes. The second frying, in hotter oil, causes the leaves to spring open and gives them their crisp finish. Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 55 min

Garnish the turkey with bunches of fresh thyme, sage and parsley.

Some of the ingredients need to marinate overnight in the Dijon-red wine vinaigrette, so plan accordingly.

Most Russian Orthodox families roast the meats the day before the feast so that preparation can be kept to a minimum when they come home from church. The baby lamb is symbolic of Christ as well as an ode to the arrival of spring.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

It's hard to get consensus on the definition of scrod. According to well-known Boston chef Jasper White, most New Englanders would agree that it's baby cod weighing under two pounds. However, some say that baby haddock and pollack are acceptable. Others contend that the kind of fish isn't important, but the manner of preparation is: If it's not broiled with the breadcrumbs, it's just baby cod. The Parker House hotel in Boston claims to have invented the dish. Here's our rendition; we serve it with broiled tomatoes.

(Savory Sandwich Torte) A variety of fillings can be used in this savory sandwich torte, often served on special occasions in Sweden.