Simmer

This recipe is an accompaniment for Coffee-Cardamom Flans with Orange Crème Fraîche.

Jews from Persia (present-day Iran) are especially proud of Queen Esther's role in the holiday of Purim. A favorite dish of Iranian children is halvah, which they eat after they break the fast of Esther, observed on Adar 13. At nursery school, Merissa learned this recipe for halvah from an Iranian teacher. In between tastes, the children played with Esther and Ahasuerus marionettes they had made with the help of their teacher.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Toasted pecans and shaved Parmesan accent this lovely starter.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

The garlic is added in two lots here to get two different flavors. The first amount is sautéed with other vegetables at the beginning of the recipe in good Italian or Spanish fashion. The second goes in near the end to provide a bite. The tomatoes provide most of the liquid.

Companion recipe to Spaghetti with Lobster and Mussels .

Adding potatoes to the puree reduces the amount of cream needed to give this soup its thick, creamy texture.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A big, beautiful dessert that layers chocolate and coffee ice creams with mocha sauce in a macaroon cookie crust.

(Tangy Soy Chicken)

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

The broth can be served on its own as a light starter with or without the vegetables in it. It can also be used in recipes calling for canned vegetable broth.