European

A great way to use the liver from your Thanksgiving turkey. (The turkey liver alone won't be enough—you'll have to mix in a few chicken livers.)

For a great vegetarian entrée, serve the vegetables on a bed of couscous.

The legacy of San Francisco's Italian and Portuguese immigrants—many of them fishermen—lives on in this fuss-free take on the North Beach favorite, with fresh fennel adding a subtle touch of anise to the tomato-based seafood stew.

Split and browned bratwurst provides contrast in a Normandy-style pairing of apples and cream.

Like an eastern European take on ravioli, this embodiment of Polish comfort food is right at home in a lively tomato sauce with dill and caraway seeds.

We often take black pepper for granted, grinding it onto every dish in sight. But the classic Roman dish cacio e pepe puts this distinctive spice front and center, which is exactly where we have it in this heartier whole-wheat version. Make sure you keep the robust, rib-sticking pasta as hot as possible—it will not only help melt the salty Pecorino but will also intensify the pepper's flavor.

A trilogy of apple—cider, cider vinegar, and ample chunks of Gala or Fuji— contributes sweet-tart goodness to this Germanic dish. It's a simple, straightforward celebration of fall.

Smith slyly doctors the sweet-tart Italian condiment to gain an unmistakable berry flavor with a little tangy crunch.

You'll be happy that these are generously sized, and that the recipe will leave you with a few extras. Tender textured, with an oozing cheese center, they're sure to be devoured before the frying oil has had a chance to cool down.

Far from being little more than crisp vehicles for the prosciutto , these have the flavor of a freshly baked olive-oil bread.

This classic appetizer showcases prosciutto's buttery texture and oaky sweetness. Simply wrapping it, unadorned, around thin, crisp grissini allows you to focus your attention on nuances you might otherwise miss. Its success will depend on your prosciutto, so look for imported Parma such as prosciutto di Rotondo or San Daniele or an excellent domestic brand such as La Quercia.

You'll reach for this recipe again and again for its stunning simplicity and for how well it works with any aperitif. Roasting the hazelnuts in the oven results in a deep nuttiness, which is then brought firmly into the savory realm with a sprinkling of salt and thyme.

The sidecar takes a wonderful turn toward autumn, with Calvados, Normandy's apple brandy, standing in for regular brandy. Coating the rims of the glasses with sugar tames the drink's lemony potency.

Studies show that sweeter-than-sugar honey has disease-fighting antioxidants. It also makes Bonaparte's unique dessert bee-licious!

Sparkling cider, rather than sugar, gives our batter its touch of sweetness. The cider also ramps up the apple flavor and adds to the beignets' lovely golden hue.

This Italian pie, also known as a torta rustica, is made with an olive-oil crust and can be served for dinner or breakfast the next day.

Editor's note: The recipe and introductory text below are adapted from Lidia's Italy by Lidia Bastianich. It's part of a special menu created by Lidia Bastianich and Mario Batali for Epicurious's Wine.Dine.Donate program. Stufato al Barolo Barolo is the king of Italian reds, a big wine, full of flavors, aromas, and lots of tannins. When you braise a beef shoulder or other big roast in a good Barolo, these elements permeate the meat and create a distinctive and complex sauce. Even if you are thousands of miles away, there's no doubt you will be transported to Piemonte for a few hours while the beef cooks to melting tenderness. When you actually get to visit Piemonte, be sure to enjoy the region's renowned beef, from the Fassone breed of cattle, which yields lean and yet delicious meat. In addition to stufato al Barolo, Fassone beef served raw in carpaccio or steak tartare will be often on menus. In the fall, when the white truffle is in season, these dishes will be served with shavings of tartufo. This is food that we just can't replicate at home—I hope you get to Piemonte and savor it in situ.

Editor's note: The recipe and introductory text below are adapted from Molto Italiano by Mario Batali. It's part of a special menu created by Lidia Bastianich and Mario Batali for Epicurious's Wine.Dine.Donate program. Scarola alle Acciughe There are basically two ways of cooking greens: the long, slow method, and this one, where much of their water content is still present, leaving the leaves with a definite chew.