Pine Nut

A colorful, aromatic rice that is good with the Spicy Lamb Stew with Apricots and Cardamom, or with broiled chicken, fish or vegetables.

An ingenious new treatment for dill.

Variations of this salad are often served on Christmas Eve in both old and New Mexico.

Serve this dish at the end of a meal — it's a fruit and cheese course in one. Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 25 min

Chef Christoforos Peskias turned rice-stuffed tomatoes inside out and came up with something that resembles sushi topped with tuna. He forms rectangular "sushi" using a special mold; we found that a scoop works well for the home cook. Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 4 hr

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Biscotti Quadrati al Miele e alle Noci Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 2 hr

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 45 min

Located in a century-old coal warehouse that stoked the train coming from Albuquerque, the Zia Diner is in the National Register of Historic Places—and on many lists of favorite neighborhood restaurants. Regulars fuel up with such popular dishes as chicken-fried steak and meat loaf with green chilies and pine nuts. The latter provided the inspiration for another Zia Diner classic: spaghetti with chili and pine nut meatballs.

Present these light sorbets in tall glasses, and garnish each dessert with large pieces of the pine nut brittle for a dramatic effect.

This recipe originally accompanied Scallops and Spinach Fettucine with Red Bell Pepper Cream Sauce.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Active time: 1 1/4 hr Start to finish: 3 hr (includes cooling)

Arlene sometimes uses sliced apricots, peaches or whole strawberries instead of plums for an equally delicious topping.

Michael McLaughlin, cookbook author, says, "Not all Thanksgiving traditions originated decades ago. This recent addition to my holiday menu lineup was inspired by my move to Santa Fe. With locally grown green chilies readily available and pine nuts growing on piñon trees right outside my back door, a southwestern-style stuffing incorporating both ingredients seemed a natural. The tequila-soaked raisins are a sweet surprise." Make the corn bread a day ahead.