Cashew

Nuts, lemon juice, and fresh herbs punch up this terrific side dish.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 1 hr

These biscotti are equally delicious made with roasted almonds, pecans, or hazelnuts in place of the cashews.

The coating on these nuts is wonderfully delicate, and the method couldn't be simpler.

Here's a three-layer cake that makes a sensational finale to any meal.

Inspired by custom-made Indian snacks sold all over Chowpatty Beach.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

At one time, musicians who entertained in Catalan countryside were paid with dried fruit and nuts. This came to be known as the "musician's dessert," which is still served to this day. Many places have updated the custom by turning the "pay" into a tart. Here's a rendition, with a rich caramel topping and sweet crust.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 35 min

Many people consider stuffing the best part of a Thanksgiving meal, and they can be quite particular about it — some like it dense and moist from the turkey juices, others fluffy and browned from the oven. We've made sure everyone will be satisfied: This recipe makes enough stuffing for the turkey and the onions, with plenty left over for another baking dish of stuffing. You can easily adapt the recipe to suit vegetarian guests — simply eliminate the bacon (use olive oil instead of bacon fat for sautéing the vegetables) and substitute vegetable stock for the turkey stock. Active time: 2 hr Start to finish: 3 1/2 hr

Mushrooms and cashews give a slight seventies flavor to this terrific salad.

Peyton Hughes of Iowa City, Iowa, writes: "My extended family met for a reunion in Boston a few months ago. For our last night together, we decided it would be appropriate to have dinner at Finale. I'll never forget the unusual grilled portobello salad." Farro, or spelt, is a cereal grain that's been eaten in southern Europe for ages.

From India's restaurant in Denver, this side dish has whole peppercorns, cardamom and cloves. They are not meant to be eaten, so discard them when serving the rice.