Bon Appétit

Serve this curry with condiments such as dried currants, sliced green onions, shredded coconut and toasted slivered almonds.

In addition to the herb mayonnaise and blue cheese coleslaw, sliced tomatoes would be perfect alongside.

"I have never been a bread-pudding fan," writes Marie Hernandez of Chicago. "But after trying the pumpkin bread pudding at Wildfire restaurant in Oak Brook, Illinois, I think I've changed my mind. Had I know that this dessert could be so good, I would have started eating it long ago." Do as the restaurant does, and serve this with sweetened whipped cream.

Fennel seeds, balsamic vinegar, roasted peppers, and caramelized onions really rev up this easy side dish.

The cranberries add tartness, color and texture. Serve the pie with vanilla ice cream or sweetened whipped cream, if you like.

The fudge can be cut into three wide bars. Wrap each in cellophane and tie with ribbon, adding a butter knife to the bow.

Serve steamed rice mixed with fresh cilantro alongside this spicy Chinese-inspired dish.

Big chunks of portobello and shiitake mushrooms make for a hearty soup.

"The Watermark restaurant here in Cleveland is my favorite place to take out-of-town guests—and I find other excuses to go, too," writes Bob Charleton of Cleveland, Ohio. " Last time I went there, I had lunch in the Garden Room, a glassed-in space overlooking the Cuyahoga River. The highlight of the meal was an unusual pumpkin soup topped with cheddar cheese." Surprisingly easy to make, this soup is flavored with cumin and chili powder.

John and Tori Nicholas of Indianapolis, Indiana, write: "We had such a wonderful time exploring New Orleans that my wife and I are now hopelessly hooked on the Big Easy. We play lots of Cajun music, and last week we rented the movie A Streetcar Named Desire. The best part of our trip was the chocolate bread pudding at Red Fish Grill." The sugar topping becomes crunchy when baked, creating a perfect contrast to the creamy chocolate pudding underneath.

Serve buttered green beans with this, and uncork a chilled Viognier.

For a light meal, all you need is some crusty French bread and a garden salad to go with this comforting soup.