Citrus

This simplified version of a classic party dish will add some welcome heat to a winter night.

Key lime pie, with its tangy custard filling and pastry crust, was popular in the Florida Keys at the turn of the century. The pie eventually evolved to include the graham-cracker-crumb crusts created in the thirties. We’ve layered all the components in wine goblets.

This is similar to the classic veal osso buco. Capocollo or pancetta (available at Italian delis) adds a nice smokiness. Serve this over noodles, mashed potatoes, or polenta. Market tip: Small lamb shanks won't do — they're mainly bone — so get the largest, meatiest ones you can find (about 1 to 1 1/4 pounds each).

Active time: 35 min Start to finish: 5 hr (includes chilling)

Set out black beans, rice, lettuce, salsa and hot flour tortillas to go with the chicken.

Serve this with the Mushroom Flatbreads or on its own.

Top this homey dessert with green grapes and orange slices for a pretty presentation.

The filling is wonderfully creamy, like ice cream, but is made without using an ice cream machine. Be sure to have plenty of extra fruit to go along with the torte.

GELATO DI MELONE

"I was in Boston on a business trip when I discovered the city's North End and its many old Italian restaurants," writes Jennifer Fassman of Westport, Connecticut. "After wandering around the small, quaint streets, I was surprised to find a bright, modern restaurant — Marcuccio's. I took the waiter's advice and ordered the sea bass with parsley sauce. It was incredible." At the restaurant, this entrée is served with sautéed broccoli rabe (also known as rapini). It would be great with spinach, too.

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

A purchased crust and frozen blueberries make this pie a snap to put together.

Try this one with turkey (it's also a nice accompaniment to pork or roast duck). Terrific for gift giving when packaged in a decorative jar.

Nice accompaniments for this Sicilian-style shrimp dish are sautéed broccoli and some orzo (rice-shaped pasta; also called riso) with butter and lots of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. For dessert, serve sliced pears and almond cookies.

Roast some cherry tomatoes and eggplant cubes alongside the lamb, and perk up instant couscous with fresh herbs for an easy addition. To complete the dinner, top poached or canned apricot halves with vanilla yogurt and chopped pistachios.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

End the Christmas celebration with this spectacular dessert: a dense fudge-like cake covered with a luscious white chocolate and tangerine mousse.