Wine

Laurent Gras, the chef at New York City's Peacock Alley restaurant, says the mild flavor of the langoustine meat and the crunchy texture of the broccoli sprouts make a wonderful combination. Note: this recipe requires advanced skills, but if you're feeling adventurous, give it a shot.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe takes its cues from Spain's classic fried pork and from an Italian favorite - the combination of pork and fennel.

The potatoes are cooked in chicken broth and then tossed with chives to give the dish a boost of flavor with almost no additional fat.

This is a special party dish, elegant and costly. Select large Chateaubriands of about 1 pound each per serving. Buy marrow bones and have the butcher cut them so the marrow can be extracted in one piece.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Start with a romaine salad tossed with Dijon vinaigrette, and pass rolls for dipping into the mussel broth. Lemon tarts from the bakery would be a nice finale.

A delicious soup from Tágide.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

My grandmother Mignon Smith estimates that this tamale pie recipe is at least 40 years old. She's been making it for us for years.

This feisty sauce gets its name from one of its ingredients, dried crushed red pepper (arrabbiata is Italian for "angry"). Use extra red pepper for an even spicier result. Serve with: Deli antipasti such as olives, roasted red peppers, and provolone atop a bed of arugula, and seeded semolina bread. Dessert: Purchased tiramisù.

This recipe is a yummy one-pot entrée from The Elements of Taste, by Gray Kunz and Peter Kaminsky. The secret here is browning the meat.

Apple ice wine gets its particular sweetness and deep golden color from frozen apples: The presence of water crystals during pressing increases the sugar content of the resulting wine. Canada produces more ice wine per year than any other country. Sophisticated-looking and intensely apple-flavored, this seasonal dessert is delicious on its own or as a complement to the maple walnut bûche de Noël. Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 4 1/4 hr (includes chilling)

It's worth the extra effort to make this rich stock; the slow-simmered taste produces a sauce that far exceeds any made with canned beef broth. This recipe is an accompaniment for Standing Rib Roast with Rosemary-Thyme Crust .

A refreshing finale to a healthful dinner.