Citrus

Make the vibrant lemon, tarragon, and parsley butter up to three days ahead and then toss with hot blanched green beans for an easy last-second side.

Ruby Port makes for a cranberry sauce that's all grown-up—and its robust flavors, paired with a bit of tangy citrus, complement all the other foods on the plate.

Just as they do in sweet Chinese bubble tea, fat, chewy pearls of tapioca bring a certain levity to pears in a fragrant spiced-cider "broth." Satsuma segments add hits of sweetness to this chic, playful dessert.

Kumquats and cranberries turn out to be a perfect match, since their flavors are similar in intensity: The former contributes a pleasant citrusy bitterness to the latter's signature tartness.

For a pretty garnish, sprinkle this light and refreshing salad with hulled, toasted pumpkin seeds.

This is a dessert to remember: chocolaty cookie crust, creamy mascarpone filling, and a glistening cranberry topping.

Kumquats, small, oval citrus fruit with an edible peel, start turning up in markets this month. They're candied here for a gorgeous cheesecake topping.

This is a fresh twist on green beans amandine. Marcona almonds, from Spain, are more tender than California almonds and are usually sold roasted and salted. Look for them at specialty foods stores and online at tienda.com.

Just three ingredients make a fresh and bright uncooked relish—and the colors are beautiful, too.

This gets a delicious lift from lemon in the butter, in the gravy, and under the skin, plus a shortcut for "preserved" lemons.

Impress your guests with these individual flourless chocolate cakes. The lack of flour makes the cakes very moist—and causes them to sink a bit in the middle.

Why serve plain iced tea when you can punch it up with healthy, natural flavors like ginger, mint, lemon and peach, as in Bonaparte's version here? A good reason to steep and sip: Tea's polyphenols may lower your risk for cancer.

To make curls, soften a chocolate bar briefly in the microwave and run a vegetable peeler along one long side.

In this free-form tart, the filling is mounded in the center of the pastry and the edges are simply folded up around it.

This simple, slightly crunchy cake needs only a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream.

Remember to add eggs, oil, and milk to your shopping list if your cake mix of choice requires them—or, if you are very short on time, use ready-made cupcakes. Store the cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Yuca, also called cassava or manioc, is a staple of many Latin American cuisines. This traditional Cuban preparation brings together yuca's mild flavor and starchy texture with a piquant citrusy garlic sauce. Simple and delicious, it will quickly become a staple of your kitchen as well.

Tamal "en cazuela" Combining pork shoulder, Sherry, and a classic Cuban marinade of garlic, cumin, and sour orange in a ropa vieja–like stew that gets tucked between corn-rich pastry, this hearty meal is ideal for a big family gathering. True, it takes some effort, but the good news is that you can break up the tasks and finish them ahead of time—leaving nothing to worry about except the reheating (and maybe the in-laws).