Lemon

Three cheers for any dessert that can be made two days ahead, frozen, and then softened in the fridge while guests and cook alike enjoy dinner. And all the better if it is a truly memorable finale that sets off waves of flavor explosions: sweet meringue, cold ice cream, and puckery lemon curd.

We are happy to announce that Bev Jones has won our November "Cook the Cover" contest with her delicious variation on our Miso-Rubbed Turkey with Turkey Gravy. Bev Jones explains her variation:
This will be the juiciest and most flavorful turkey ever! I wanted to give my larger 19-lb turkey a little extra zip by adding rosemary and other herbs to the miso butter. I used all of the butter under the skin, since my turkey was bigger and no basting is required. After rubbing the butter under the skin, I placed red bell pepper rings with a lemon slice in the center of each under the skin for extra flavor and a nice presentation. I also cook all of my turkeys in those clear oven roasting bags you find in the grocery store. I have never been disappointed — no basting, juicy, flavorful, nicely browned, and it cuts the cooking time way down! You don't need as much turkey stock because there is so much juice from the turkey. I like cornstarch for thickening because I like a more clear-looking gravy. This turkey turned out to be spectacular and a real hit with all the family.

Begin making the orange cream filling one day before serving the tart.

These small muffin-shaped cookies deliver a brown-sugar-infused crunch, followed by an intensely fruity burst of blueberries and lemon.

This delightfully tart drink with a hint of gingery spice is one of several nonalcoholic cocktails that mixologist Duggan McDonnell serves to customers at Frisson restaurant, in San Francisco.

The cake takes its name from the wife of Jack Turner's former headmaster, but the recipe is reportedly an ancient Scottish one. Aluminum foil stands in for the traditional newspaper.

This sweet-tart liquor-less cocktail is very popular at restaurant Frisson, in San Francisco, which mixologist Duggan McDonnell has helped turn into a drinking destination.

This is a miniature version of a New York favorite: A cakey cookie with sweet half-moons of vanilla and chocolate icing.

Jennifer Wickes of Pine Beach, New Jersey, writes: "I grew up in Bermuda learning to make English sweets like these scones. You can adapt the recipe to any season by adding a different mix of berries and nuts. This combination is perfect for fall."

Que delicioso! A Spanish makeover for this simple pudding creates an elegant dessert for any fiesta.

If any cake could be called refreshing, this would be the one. Rich but light, it loses absolutely nothing from the absence of white flour.

This slightly unusual side dish takes the place of your standard green beans, lending a light and crunchy contrast to the heavier, puréed dishes in this menu. (Most people don't think of cooking jicama, but we love its crisp water-chestnut-like texture, raw or sautéed.)

Despite the fact that they require few ingredients and little effort, these beans always get raves.

Despite their name, Champagne grapes aren't used to make the sparkling wine. Legend has it that the grapes were so named because the tiny clusters of fruit resemble the bubbles in a glass of Champagne. What to drink: A crisp, ripe white. Try: Icon 2004 Sauvignon Blanc, House of Nobilo, Marlborough, New Zealand ($20).

Nobody is indifferent to sea urchin roe: You either love it or hate it. Personally, its rich and sexy taste is my favorite flavor on earth. Until I tried the extraordinary mousse invented by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, I preferred it raw. Now I know better. The best sea urchin roe comes from southern California, and is sold in little wooden trays at Japanese markets. It is extremely fragile. It's important to use very fresh roe with a clean, ripe, rather fruity scent.