Nut

This soup, actually my mother's recipe, is traditionally served at Passover, but it's so good that my family likes to make it all year round. A little chicken stock goes into the matzo balls, and the rest makes up the soup base. You can also use canned chicken broth, but for the best-tasting and most authentic soup, we think nothing beats homemade chicken stock. Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

Throughout Abraham Lincoln's political career, his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, would periodically bake for him the Todd family's favorite cake, based on a recipe dating back to 1825. On first tasting it, Lincoln is reported to have said that this white almond cake was the "best I ever ate." That's high praise, but we've made a good thing even better by adding a coffee-cinnamon layer and drizzling the cake with a luscious coffee glaze.

A colorful and unusual first course.

This can also be made with turkey cutlets.

The generous amount of cinnamon in this recipe makes for especially flavorful cookies.

This "stuffing" has a soft, custard-like texture and should not be baked inside a bird.

Begin preparing this a day before serving.

Red peppers are teamed with onions, toasted pine nuts, fresh oregano and creamy goat cheese in these luscious savory pies. Purchased Boboli cheese pizza crusts make them a snap to prepare. You'll find them in the bread section, specialty food aisle or frozen food section at the supermarket.

These irresistible treats are filled with dried apricots, figs and cherries as well as dates and walnuts, and are topped with a cream cheese frosting.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Here's a rich treat that's filled with creamy chocolate ganache and garnished with ripe strawberries.

(Apple Walnut Cake) This cake's unusual name was taken from the relative who originally passed down the recipe.

Pears and Gorgonzola are a classic combination in Italy; here they team up in a unique pasta recipe. To make this intriguing dish even heartier, toss in some diced ham or cooked chicken.