Stone Fruit

Depending on the size and shape of your waffle pan, the yield for this recipe will vary. Freeze extra waffles to enjoy later. Karen Barker makes her own chocolate sauce and chocolate chip ice cream with cherries.

(TARTE ABRICOT VERLET) Verlet is a tiny tea and coffee shop that also serves good homemade pastries. Anyone who loves apricots will love this simple, homey pie. Be sure to use fresh, not canned, apricots.

For those who've found the consistency of okra unappealing, there are secrets to keeping it crisp and toothsome: Don't cut into the pod when trimming the stems and don't overcook it.

These cookies are also good on their own.

This recipe was created to accompany <epi:recipeLink ="14220">Grilled Shellfish and Potato Salad with Avacado Salsa, Scallion Oil, and Plum Coulis</epi:recipeLink>.<P> Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Pluots are a great stand-in for true plums in this recipe.

Ruby Port in the juicy filling deepens the fruit flavors in this crisp. Top with vanilla ice cream or the ice cream from the Malted Milk Ice Cream Cake .

Using the freshest eggs possible is the key to great poached eggs. This dish makes a savory breakfast or, when paired with a salad, a satisfying brunch.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 3 3/4 hr

Ginger and cinnamon give the classic peach pie a makeover.

Begin preparing this one day ahead.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

To peel apricots, blanch about 20 seconds. Drain and rinse with cold water, then slip off the peels with a paring knife.

Here's a colorful and creative pie: Apricots, which flourish in California, Hawaiian pineapple and Oregon cranberries come together in a filling that offers a terrific balance of the exotic and the traditional. It's good with vanilla ice cream.

A sophisticated finale that's easier than pie. If you have a little extra time, you might make your own pastry shell.