Winter

Because caramel hardens so quickly, make these lollipops in 2 batches, 10 at a time.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

An accompaniment to <epi:recipelink id="13198">Spiced Venison Steaks</epi:recipelink>

Start this at least one day before serving.

This version of the Greek and Turkish dessert features dates instead of nuts. Date palms flourish in the hot climate of the Middle East.

Kalmi Shaak Following Bengali tradition, Chitrita Banerji's mother presented this vegetable dish as a first course — delicate yet spicy, it gets the appetite going. But you could serve it as a side dish with the mung beans and the eggplant fritters. The original recipe called for mustard oil, but because it's so hard to find an FDA-approved brand — many bottles are labeled "for massage only," though Indians find that they're fine to cook with — we have substituted vegetable oil.

A version of the famous Parisian ham-and-cheese sandwich pairs up with a classic soup.

(Pompe à l'Huile)

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe, from Lord and Baroncini's cookbook, calls for simmering a small amount of tomatoes for over an hour. The result is a rich, concentrated sauce. Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 2 1/2 hr

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.