Food Processor

Oreos have been popular since Nabisco introduced them in 1912, and they are still the best-selling cookie in the world. There are those folks who twist the cookies apart and eat the filling first, and those who dunk the entire Oreo into a big glass of ice-cold milk. In this recipe, Oreos make a great pie crust that's filled with cookies and cream ice cream. Die-hard fans won't think this dessert is overkill at all.

A U-shaped peeler with a horizontal blade (available at most supermarkets) makes peeling the squash easier. Here it’s okay to pulse the parsley in a food processor rather than chop it by hand, but pat it dry with paper towels first.

This pesto, from Trapani, in Sicily, is made with almonds and tomato and far less basil than traditional pesto — don't expect it to be green.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Active time: 35 min Start to finish: 5 hr

Janet and Travis Kuhl of Cranford, New Jersey, writes: "We recently went to chef Ming Tsai's Blue Ginger restaurant in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Our entire meal was top-notch, but the shrimp cocktail was our favorite." Poured carefully side by side into a cocktail glass, tomato puree and avocado puree make a colorful dip for the lightly battered and quickly deep-fried shrimp.

This turkey is roasted in true French fashion with black truffles and shallots. Prepare the truffle butter and rub it over the turkey the day before roasting. A red Burgundy complements the earthy truffle flavor.

Dried cherries from Michigan add their bright sweetness to winter baking.

Buttermilk and blue cheese make this slaw rich and tangy.

This sauce uses roasted fresh poblano chilies and their dried form, ancho chilies.

Seedless watermelons are on the market these days, but I prefer the old-fashioned ones with big black seeds — easy to see and remove. Then proceed with the recipe.

(Gratins d'Aubergine, Mozzarella et Pistou) This makes a terrific meatless main course. It would serve eight as a side dish; simply layer the ingredients in a 13x9x2-inch baking dish, then bake and broil it as directed.