Plum

(Southern German and Alsatian Italian Plum Torte) This torte is served traditionally at the high holidays in early fall, when small blue Italian plums are in season. In southern Germany and Alsace the pie was made from zwetsche, a local variety of these plums. My aunt Lisl always used to make a murbeteig crust (a short-crust butter cookie dought) for this tart, and sliced each Italian plum into four crescent shapes. She lined the tart with breadcrumbs and then apricot preserves, which protected the dough during baking, leading to a crispy crust. She went light on the cinnamon, a spice she felt was overused in this country. (I agree with her.) My aunt's results, simple to prepare, were simply delicious.

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

This summer pudding yields 6 servings, allowing second helpings for a party of 4 or a breakfast treat for the next morning. In addition to an 8-inch square glass baking dish, you will also need another one, glass or metal, of the same size.

This recipe gives everyone a mini cobbler.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

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

Try this with grilled lamb chops, pork, or chicken.

The free-form crust of this large, rectangular tart is easy to create, but be sure to leave enough of a border (1 to 1 1/2 inches) to fold the edges up over the fruit filling. To serve, cut into squares.

Involtini di Manzo Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 45 min

Adding fleur de sel at the end transforms this tart into a delicious cross between a cheese course and dessert.

These pretty tartlets can be made one day ahead. Arrange them in a single layer in a shallow plastic container for transporting.

This fruit ice is flavored with cinnamon and allspice. It is garnished with slices of peach, nectarine and plum; other seasonal fruit would work, too. Follow with iced espresso.

A buttery free-form crust joins forces with a lucious fruit filling to make the perfect seasonal dessert. Just add vanilla frozen yogurt or ice cream.

This recipe was created to accompany Roasted Chicken Legs with Plum Chili Salsa . Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.