Prosciutto

Here's a tropical chicken dish from cookbook author Daisy Martinez.

This recipe was created by chef Michael Kornick of MK Restaurant in Chicago. It's part of a special menu he created for Epicurious's Wine.Dine.Donate program.

The chive oil would also be delicious drizzled over salmon or chicken. For very hungry guests, poach 12 eggs and serve each person two instead of one. WHAT TO DRINK: Prosecco, an Italian sparkler, is festive, delicious, and a good value.

Saltimbocca, an Italian classic, traditionally calls for veal — but tastes even better with chicken.

This is perfect with mashed potatoes. What to drink: Terra dei Re 2003 "Vultur" Aglianico del Vulture from Italy ($20), with aromas of spice, as well as plummy flavors, juicy acidity, and smooth tannins.

It takes only a few powerful ingredients like these to pull off amazingly full flavor. This rich, sophisticated pasta is guaranteed to keep the winter doldrums at bay.

No time to heat up a pizza stone? This easy alternative method yields a crisp crust in just minutes. Good-quality cheese, olive oil, and prosciutto go a long way toward making the pie truly memorable.

Looking for an elegant entrée to serve on Christmas Eve? You just found it.

Taleggio is an Italian semisoft cheese. Its mildly piquant flavor sharpens with age and pairs especially well with the black truffles and prosciutto in this dish. Taleggio stands up to big Italian wines, like Barolo and Barbaresco.

Torta salata
Great on its own or as part of a meal, this tender bread is wonderfully rich, particularly when served warm.

Chef Michael Schlow of Boston's Via Matta created this dish for Epicurious's Wine.Dine.Donate program. Serve with Schlow's Red Snapper with Black Olives, Capers, and Tomatoes.

Here, the old trick of moistening scrambled eggs with cream cheese is elevated with Boursin, which also adds flavor. This makes a good brunch dish or, when served with a salad, a satisfying light supper.

Bresaola-a beef lover's prosciutto equivalent-gives this virtually no-cook dish a bright platform with deep flavor.