Christmas

This recipe is an accompaniment for Sweet-Potato Gaufrettes with Duck Confit and Cranberry Black Pepper Chutney. Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 30 min

David Barber, chef at Three Square Grill in Portland, Oregon, writes: "My restaurant may not be located in the trendiest part of town, but we have a neighborhood following of customers who appreciate my house-made bread, lox, bacon, sausage, preserves, and pickles." This Bundt-cake gingerbread is moist, rich, and decadent — no wonder it's Three Square Grill's signature dessert.

All the appeal of traditional mincemeat pie—without all of the traditional work.

If you aren't a restaurant chef or caterer, you probably don’t want to cook a 40-pound round roast, which is what most Buffalo chefs use. But a nice eye of round, 4 to 6 pounds, works fine.

In England, plum pudding was required at Christmas in the nineteenth century, and it still is today. This luscious cake takes its cues from that beloved dessert. It combines the flavors of a plum pudding in a chocolate cake and iced it with fudge frosting.

This rib-sticking soup makes a fine meal, especially with a salad alongside. See how to dice potatoes.

For accompaniments, toss watercress and thin slices of red onion with Dijon vinaigrette, and add chopped fresh basil to stewed tomatoes. Pecan pie can top it off.

This impressive dessert is the sum of many parts that can each be made several days in advance. Assemble the trifle the day before serving to allow the cake to absorb the custard and the flavors to fully develop. Active time: 2 1/2 hr Start to finish: 13 hr

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

The mincemeat adds great flavor and texture to an ever-popular dessert.

At Thanksgiving, rice stuffings are standard on many southern tables. This one, a combination of white rice and wild rice, gets more regional notes from collard greens, pecans and ham.

Pop one of these in your mouth for a burst of bittersweet flavor.

Rather than being crisp, these heirloom cookies are tender and cake-like.

Active time: 1 3/4 hr Start to finish: 2 3/4 hr (includes making pastry shell)

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.