Lemon

Two New Orleans favorites — catfish and pecans — team up in this terrific dish from Upperline Restaurant.

If making these cupcakes for a large crowd, do not double the recipe but make multiple batches.

Golden Delicious apples, as well as other good baking varieties like Rome Beauty, are a natural choice here.

The fire's smoky heat — and some luscious garlic mayonnaise — turn simple grilled tomatoes into a spectacular dish.

Prepare this sensational cake one day before you plan to serve it.

This Majorcan specialty is usually topped with homemade almond ice cream or ice milk, but purchased almond ice cream can also be used.

This one is delicious made with shrimp and/or scallops, too. If using lobster, garnish the plates with the empty shells.

(TARTE AU CITRON)

Known as anginetti, these delicious cookies are made throughout southern Italy. This Neapolitan interpretation is particularly lemony.

(POTS DE CREME AU CITRON ET A LA VERVEINE) Often used to make herb tea and liqueurs in Provence, the fragrant herb lemon verbena gives a nice lift to these rich, silky lemon custards. Look for fresh lemon verbena at farmers' markets and nurseries; dried lemon verbena can be found at specialty foods stores.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. A popular Japanese sauce perks up the grilled shrimp. For side dishes, garnish purchased sesame noodle salad with chopped green onions and peanuts, and put out a plate of carrot and celery sticks. As long as the coals are hot, grill slices of fresh pineapple, then top them with vanilla ice cream and shredded coconut.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. This recipe calls for chipotle chiles, which are actually dried, smoked jalapeños. They can be bought packed in adobo, a sauce made from ground chiles, herbs, tomatoes, and vinegar. Serve the dip with bell pepper strips, chips, or crackers.

In the eighties, the popularity of this homestyle dish caused take-out rotisserie chicken shops to spring up across the country.