Kumquat

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 2 1/2 hr

Baked yams and steamed spinach make colorful accompaniments. Ice cream alongside hot apple turnovers tops off the meal.

Kumquats lend their bright citrus snap to a no-cooking-required relish.

For a great one-dish meal, serve this rich stew over rice. If you want to make it even more authentic, use couscous, a small grain-shaped pasta that is often found in North African and Middle Eastern cooking. It's available at many supermarkets and specialty foods stores.

Pop one of these in your mouth for a burst of bittersweet flavor.

Spicy and sophisticated.

Active time: 1 3/4 hr Start to finish: 2 3/4 hr (includes making pastry shell)

(Rouleaux de Poulet aux Kumquats, Sauce épicé) These spring rolls can also be made with duck instead of chicken.

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

A simple dessert sauce that is absolutely delicious spooned over scoops of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt.

The warm caramel flavors in cola complement the molasses and brown sugar in this cake. The remaining candied kumquats are delicious served over vanilla ice cream. For best results, use Philadelphia-brand cream cheese in the frosting.

If you can't find kumquats, don't panic — the recipe works fine without them. Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.