Make Ahead

Delicious on crackers or as a filling for small tea sandwiches.

To bake these puffs all at once, you will need 6 mini-muffin pans, each containing twelve 1 3/4- by 1-inch cups. However, you could also make them in batches using fewer pans.

Our food editors think beans cook more evenly and hold their shape better with a long soak — which is why the ones in this recipe are soaked for 6 hours. But, you can use the following quick-soak method if you prefer: In a saucepan cover beans with cold water by 2 inches. Bring water to a boil and boil beans 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat and soak beans 1 hour.

This dish was inspired by pain au chocolat, a chocolate-stuffed croissant that is adored by both children and adults in France. Cranberries have been added-perfect for a Christmas brunch.

In the early part of the decade, an appreciation of Asian flavors, a desire for spa-style cuisine, and the popularity of sushi dovetailed with the creation of this appetizer, usually prepared with raw salmon or tuna. The dish is now found on restaurant menus nationwide. This version, which calls for smoked salmon, features a wonderful combination of Pacific Rim flavors.

There's Carolina Red Barbecue Sauce in this, a "must" with the pork.

These are great for a picnic. They taste even better when made a few hours ahead, which allows the flavors to blend.

The curd can be prepared up to four days ahead; the assembled tartlets, one day ahead.

It’s what the french call pain perdu, or "lost bread"—a dish that was created to revive day-old or stale baguettes. Here, hot and sweet, baked to a golden crisp, and dripping with syrup, you’ll find not a single thing is missing. Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 2 1/4 hr

To prevent fingerprints or smudges, wear thin cotton gloves* while handling the eggs.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.