Fall

Oktoberfest fans, here's your dish. Wondra flour, which dissolves quickly to prevent lumps from forming, is what helps thicken the juices in this fall classic. You'll find it at the supermarket.

Using turkey makes this take on the Hungarian beef stew lighter. Adjust the heat level by using all hot paprika, all sweet paprika, or a combination.

Crispy pancetta sprinkled on top adds a salty, savory flavor to this sweet soup.

The chicken gets great flavor from a six hour brine, so begin early or a day ahead.

Use a V-slicer (a simple, inexpensive version of a mandoline available at cookware stores) for the paper-thin pear slices.

Serve additional pear crisps as snacks.

This recipe was created by chef Geraldine Ferraro of the Four Swallows Restaurant on Bainbridge Island in Washington. It's part of a special menu she created for Epicurious's Wine.Dine.Donate program.

The best desserts are those that manage to be sweetly satisfying while also containing an element of surprise, and this unique granita certainly fits the bill. We first had a version of it at Manhattan's Wallsé, and were stunned by the interplay among the bright, verdant mix of apple and celery with the richness of olive oil and the heat of grated horseradish. (Here, we've substituted wasabi for the horseradish.) It's a truly sophisticated way to end a meal.

Israeli couscous, which is larger and chewier than the more common variety, takes the place of arborio rice in this risotto-style dish.

The Caipirinha is Brazil's most popular cocktail. The drink is traditionally made with limes, but Amber uses tangerines instead.

Named after the heart-shaped callaloo leaves from the taro plant, this traditional stew can be made with crab, lobster, and shrimp, or taro root and coconut milk. But all versions of the dish call for okra and, of course, callaloo leaves. Spinach makes a great substitute for the callaloo.

In the islands, black-eyed peas are known as black-eyed beans.

Smoked turkey drumsticks can be found in the meat section of most supermarkets. If unavailable, substitute smoked ham hocks. WHAT TO DRINK: A pale ale with a spicy finish, like Sierra Nevada.

This recipe originally accompanied Smoked Turkey and Bacon Chowder .

Thai red curry paste adds a spicy punch.

Pumpkin, packed with vitamin A, proves it has a life after Thanksgiving.

The juicy pears in this elegant tart provide a dose of filling fiber. Each slice also serves up a helping of satiating healthy fat and phytonutrients, which come from the almonds.