Bon Appétit

Once you start eating this rich, salty-sweet pie with its oat cookie crust, you won't be able to stop.

Cotton Row is full of local flavor. The restaurant, which is located on the city's courthouse square, is housed in a three-story brick building dating back to 1821. And chef James Boyce's menu keeps the local flavor coming, with dishes like this risotto made with butter beans, a southern staple. Crispy fried okra makes a fitting (and tasty) garnish.

Cooking the fish in olive oil makes it amazingly moist.

At Menton, this dish is garnished with caviar and chive blossoms.

This vegetarian entrée would also be delicious served with lamb or shrimp.

Nduja, a spicy spreadable salami, is incredible with the pork.

Each large steak will serve two people. The steaks need to marinate overnight, so start this recipe one day ahead.

Specialty foods stores, Trader Joe's, and some supermarkets carry dried blueberries.

Quick preserved lemon (it cooks for ten minutes) adds a fresh hit of flavor to this warm salad.

Preparing the pesto a day ahead makes this a quick supper.

Save a roast chicken plus the leftover carcass to use for the Chicken Soup with Root Vegetables.

Although herb salad mix tastes especially good here and makes for speedy assembly, feel free to use any type of flavorful salad mix you like.

Like thumbprint cookies, these light and lemony scones get their name from the well of preserves in the center. The secret to tender results is to work the dough as little as possible. After adding the cream, stir just until everything is incorporated. When kneading, use as few turns as possible. When shaping, pat just until you get a one-inch-thick round. Any leftovers taste great reheated the next day, wrapped in foil.

Ponzu, a citrus-infused soy sauce, can be found in the Asian foods section of some supermarkets.