Walnut

Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 3 3/4 hr (includes cooling)

"My profession as a real estate agent requires a lot of my time," writes Edi Meadows Morrissette of Westin, Florida, "so it helps that I am lightning-fast in the kitchen. I cook every day, and on the weekends I sometimes make three meals a day. I accomplish that by following my main cooking principles: (1) do a lot of prep work, and (2) keep the kitchen well stocked. For example, at holiday time I might chop onions in advance or bake bread the day before company arrives. And since I converted the bedroom next to my kitchen into a pantry for extra storage, I know I'll always have the right ingredients at my fingertips." The addition of fresh orange pieces is a lovely variation on the holiday condiment. Begin two hours or up to three days ahead.

Nut pies can be very sweet — mixing in tart cranberries keeps everything in check.

Here's a delicious twist on the classic olive tapenade from Provence. This recipe would also be good with toasted pine nuts in place of walnuts. If there's any leftover tapenade, serve it with chicken, pork, or lamb.

The sweet, nutty filling might remind you of a pecan pie — with melted chocolate chips.

Cocoa brownies have the softest center and chewiest candylike top "crust" of all because all of the fat in the recipe (except for a small amount of cocoa butter in the cocoa) is butter, and all of the sugar is granulated sugar rather than the finely milled sugar used in chocolate. Use the best cocoa you know for these fabulous brownies.

Carole McCallum, Sammamish, Wash.
"Instead of Kahlúa, try Grand Marnier, crème de cacao, or another liqueur. For a festive touch, add green or red sprinkles."

One of our staff members is addicted to the rich, mellow taste of his friend Stephanie's walnut cookies. She began making them as a young bride thirty-five years ago, and her family has never celebrated the holidays without a batch or two since.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

These thin pancakes resemble crêpes more than the thick apple pancakes served at '21' back in the thirties and forties. They are definitely more delicate than the traditional version, but the flavors of apples and walnuts still hark back to their heftier ancestors. Most of the components of this recipe may be made ahead of time and the dessert assembled just prior to serving.

Wheat berries, minimally processed grains of whole wheat, are sometimes marketed as hard wheat.

Tarte au Sucre du Pays Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 2 1/2 hr

This bread uses a yeast starter that needs to be made at least one day ahead.

The rich, creamy sauce is also delicious on crisps, puddings and cobblers.