Walnut

Peter Reinhart, a baking instructor at the California Culinary Academy, says, "Ever since I was a kid, the cranberry relish has been just about my favorite part of the holiday dinner. I love how its juices run in every direction to blend with everything on the plate. Of course, it has to be good cranberry relish, with coarsely chopped berries and walnuts and plenty of orange flavor. The cranberry-walnut braid captures those flavors, and the shape makes a beautiful presentation, too.

Partnered with a green salad, these little sandwiches are terrific with the flavorful barley soup .

In 1897, the Sears catalog offered its customers a treat called brownies. No one seems to remember whether they were bar cookies or a chocolate confection named after a popular cartoon character. No matter; by the 1900s the brownie as we now know it had arrived. The recipe for these dense, moist brownies is from Heather Ho, pastry chef at Boulevard in San Francisco.

"My mother makes the most delicious chocolate caramel graham crackers," writes Barbara Walt Gustin of Kalamazoo, Michigan. "Everyone who tries them goes wild. They're so easy to make that the recipe gets passed on and on." Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 1 hr

Made with heavy cream and gelatin instead of eggs, this no-bake cheesecake has the silky texture of panna cotta. Begin preparing it at least one day ahead.

Antoinette Muto of Los Angeles, California, writes: "My business partner and I own a company that makes costumes for the film industry. When we are involved in a huge project — as we were with Minority Report and X2 — we work very long days, and sometimes even on weekends. So I don't have much time to cook or even to go out for lunch or dinner. That's when my no-fiddling cooking style comes in handy. I cut corners when I can — without sacrificing flavor." A food processor makes mixing the dough for these rich cookies a breeze.

The polenta can be made a day ahead and reheated in the oven.

To set a festive mood, serve these with mimosas made with icy-cold Prosecco and freshly squeezed tangerine juice.

M'Eloise Waters of Yakima, Washington, writes: "Throughout the years, I have enjoyed so many 'R.S.V.P.' recipes, and now I have a request of my own: the chicken pasta from Spazzo Mediterranean Grill in Bellevue, Washington. It has fresh herbs, walnuts, almonds, and caramelized onions."

The crust and filling can be made ahead.

Sweet potatoes make this moist; cranberries and walnuts add texture and color.

Serve this tangy and delicious hors d'oeuvre spread on toasted baguette slices.

"One evening my husband took me to a marvelous restaurant, Al Biernat's, in nearby Dallas," says Janice E. Bryant of Irving, Texas."I had an innovative salad—greens tossed with grilled pear slices, walnuts, blue cheese and a terrific vinaigrette."

"On a trip to Chicago, my daughter and I enjoyed a memorable meal at Pane Caldo downtown," writes Terrie M. Barr of Troy, Illinois. "Everything was terrific, especially the black olive and walnut spread served with the bread." Offer this flavorful spread with French-bread baguette slices that have been brushed with olive oil and toasted in a 350°F oven until golden.

"While visiting my sister in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, we had a delightful dinner at the Mountain Town Station Brewing Company and Steakhouse," writes Marge Frazier of Houston, Texas. "The salad with greens, fruits, and nuts was amazing. Plus it had a creamy maple dressing that was delicious."

Toni Grekin of Deposit, New York, writes: "This recipe was given to me by my friend Barbara Leeds. It's wonderfully rich and overwhelmingly addictive." Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 2 1/2 hr