Herbs & Spices

This recipe was created by chef Lachlan Mackinnon Patterson of Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, Colorado. It's part of a special menu he created for Epicurious's Wine.Dine.Donate program. For the polenta, chef Mackinnon Patterson recommends Anson Mills Rustic Coarse Polenta.

This impressive dish requires very little prep work, and the whole thing is cooked in just one pan. Serve with toasted slices of crusty bread.

Crème fraîche—a French heavy cream that's slightly sour—can be found in the dairy section of some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.

A classic crowning touch for Italian-style braised veal shanks, this sprinkle of citrus and herbs adds freshness to long-cooked short ribs, too.

Because they're firm and tart, Pippin or Jonathan apples would also be good here.

Here's an autumnal twist on pesto—with walnuts standing in for pine nuts and with a mix of herbs in place of summery basil. It's great on pasta or chicken.

Using turkey makes this take on the Hungarian beef stew lighter. Adjust the heat level by using all hot paprika, all sweet paprika, or a combination.

These classic candies (called sweetmeats by the British) look sinful but are little more than dried apricots, figs, and plums dusted with nuts, cocoa, or sugar.

Many Indian families have their own recipe for this popular dish. While most versions are mild and flavorful, this one pays special attention to the spices, so it won't be too hot for young palettes—and it's a surefire winner with kids. Garam masala and other spices are available by mail order at Kalustyan's.

Barely a day goes by at the Puerto Rican table without rice and beans making an appearance, but this version is pull-out-the-stops-special rather than everyday—you won't believe how much flavor can be packed into such an understated dish. The secret is an abundantly seasoned sofrito—the flavor base—and the slight crust, called pegao, that forms on the bottom of the pot.

Skirt steak is delicious served plain, but since you can get such fantastic South American flavor out of these basic pantry items, why not embellish it?

Juicy scallops are rich in selenium, a mineral that protects cells from disease-causing damage in the body.

Love the crust? Eat up! It's a solid source of heart-smart folate.