Dried Fruit

"Moist and pretty in color when blackberry, currant, or some such jam was used, [jam cake] was a favorite with pioneer women, for it kept well," James Beard wrote in his American Cookery (Little Brown, 1972). The only thing more that might be said about jam cake is that it is delicious.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time. A fantastic ice-cream sauce.

The non-stick mini-muffin tins required for this recipe are available at many supermarkets.

The sweet-tart filling and the flaky crust add up to one terrific pie.

In England, these crisp raisin-flecked treats are called Madeira biscuits-biscuit being the British word for cookie, and a glass of Madeira being a favorite accompaniment for this particular type.

A drizzle of white chocolate makes these Italian cookies holiday ready. For what it's worth, it's equally good on a classic almond biscotti, too.

Store-bought rotisserie chicken and frozen potatoes make quick and easy work of this dinner, which tastes like Thanksgiving leftovers in the best way possible.

A colorful, aromatic rice that is good with the Spicy Lamb Stew with Apricots and Cardamom, or with broiled chicken, fish or vegetables.

The chutney also works well as an accompaniment to chicken, duck or lamb.

Because it's often the first dessert a child is allowed to eat, rice pudding can conjure up wonderful memories, which may be why it continues to be a favorite of a lot of grown-ups. Pure maple syrup sweetens the pudding, which develops a smooth golden topping as it bakes.