Beverages

No cooking required for this dessert that needs to be assembled at least 24 hours—and up to three days—in advance.

This is a variation on the classic New Orleans dessert bananas Foster, created by chef Paul Blange at Brennan's Restaurant. To save time, you can use store-bought premium vanilla or butter pecan ice cream instead of homemade. Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 5 hr (includes making ice cream)

A favorite test-kitchen Muscat wine is Bonny Doon's Muscat Vin de Glacière from California.

This distinctive fat-free drink is a great change of pace from coffee or tea.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 25 min

This recipe is an accompaniment for Flourless Chocolate-Orange Almond Cake .

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less, but requires additional unattended time.

"During a recent business trip to Birmingham, Alabama, I had dinner at the Hot and Hot Fish Club," writes Shelia Murray of Paradise, California. "Every bite of chef Chris Hasting's shrimp and grits was packed with flavor. I'd love to prepare this stand-out dish at home."

Brandied whipped cream adds the perfect finishing touch to this moist, luscious cake. Leftovers are terrific with coffee the next day.

An unexpected combination of ingredients updates the classic Italian dessert. It is presented in individual servings here, but the ladyfingers, espresso and filling can be layered in a large dish and offered with the sauce on the side if you prefer.