Bon Appétit

A butcher may have to cut these impressive, extra-thick steaks for you.

What to drink: Syrah (or Shiraz, as it's called if Australian), or any medium-bodied, fruity red wine.

Thinly sliced roast turkey can be used instead of Black Forest ham.

Bone-in cuts (like this pork loin roast) require a longer cooking time, but the payoff is big flavor and succulent meat. The meat closest to the bone is always the juiciest, and bone marrow enriches the sauce as the roast cooks.

Relish each step of preparing coffee- and chile-braised short ribs: Searing a brown crust on the ribs before they bake adds a deep caramelized flavor; sautéing the aromatics (onions, peppers, garlic) in the drippings makes the sauce base really fragrant.

While any yeast dough can be kneaded by hand, this one is done in a heavy-duty mixer with a dough-hook attachment — it's the fastest, easiest way to get the best texture. Use a clip-on deep-fry thermometer to gauge the oil temperature when frying these doughnuts: too low and they'll absorb oil, turning leaden and soggy; too high and they'll burn before the insides are cooked through.

Use a clip-on deep-fry thermometer to gauge the oil temperature when frying these doughnuts: too low and they'll absorb oil, turning leaden and soggy; too high and they'll burn before the insides are cooked through.

The tender texture of these cake doughnuts comes from folding in the dry ingredients gently by hand, rather than beating them in with a mixer. Use a clip-on deep-fry thermometer to gauge the oil temperature when frying these doughnuts: too low and they'll absorb oil, turning leaden and soggy; too high and they'll burn before the insides are cooked through.

These delicious pancakes are light and moist; the texture is a cross between a crepe and a pancake. Avoid overmixing the batter (it's okay if there are lumps) to ensure that the pancakes will be airy.

Pam Norby of Amery, Wisconsin, writes: "I'm originally from California, but my husband and I moved to Wisconsin so we could live in the country. We raise animals and grow most of our own fruits and vegetables. I like being able to just walk outside and pick fresh ingredients that don't take a lot of time to prepare. Serious grocery shopping is a long drive away, but thanks to the Internet, I can order just about any specialty food I want." Thin slices of cooked roast beef can stand in for the chicken.

Toasted crushed coriander seeds add great flavor and fragrance to the dressing. Green Anjou or Comice pears would also work well here, but the red Anjou's rich maroon skin looks beautiful next to the lettuce.

Also called sunchokes, Jerusalem artichokes are actually the roots of a variety of sunflower, but their sweet, nutty flavor is reminiscent of artichokes. What to drink: Unoaked Chardonnay from France (think Chablis) or New Zealand.

Use the grating disk of a food processor to grate the beets more easily.

Extra vitamin C enhances the yeast. This recipe is an accompaniment for Country-Style Sourdough Bread .

Heat leftover apple cider with a cinnamon stick on the stove top. It makes a great warm drink—and instant aromatherapy.

Lovely served at breakfast with butter or cream cheese.