Pineapple

Don't save shortcakes just for strawberry season. They're also delicious served with other fruits, like this tropical combination.

Dorothy Williams of Vancouver, British Columbia, writes: "To celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, my husband and I spent a week in Victoria, British Columbia. We particularly enjoyed Abigail's Hotel, where we had some delicious carrot-coconut cupcakes." For a lovely breakfast muffin, omit the cream cheese frosting.

This unique flan — made with pineapple juice rather than milk or cream — comes from Patria in New York. Use the pineapple juice found near the orange juice in supermarket refrigerator sections, and begin making the flan a day ahead.

Be sure to brush the grill clean while it's hot before adding the fruit.

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

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

You can use whatever fruit you have on hand for this quick, pretty dessert.

Serve with white rice to soak up the juices. A bottle of Gewürztraminer would pair nicely with the spiciness of the shrimp.

Active time: 50 min Start to finish: 1 hr

"My husband and I often visit the Frenchglen Hotel at the base of Steens Mountain in southeastern Oregon," writes Janis Gavin of Albion, California. "We go there for the bird-watching, the stunning views and the fabulous dinners— one of which was the inspiration for this dish." These game hens would be delicious served with mashed potatoes and sautéed greens.

Every island in the Caribbean has its own version of rum punch, usually designed to highlight the virtues of the locally produced spirit. If we were cast away on a Caribbean island, we'd like to find this cooler waiting at that little palm-shaded bar on the beach. Be sure to set out beer (Red Stripe is a nice Jamaican lager), wine and soda, too.