American

The name banoffee plays on the combination of a banana filling and a topping of coffee-flavored whipped cream. This inspired dessert comes from pastry chef Abigail Langlas at Alan Wong’s award-winning restaurant in Honolulu.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Some people favor collard greens boiled until they are meltingly tender, while others prefer them to retain some bite. This recipe satisfies the taste of the latter group. According to the author, this recipe goes well with roast goose.

Open-Faced Turkey Sandwiches with Parmesan Cream Sauce and Bacon

The German settlers in Philadelphia were known for their sausage-making talents. In this side dish, sausage teams up with molasses and squash, two classic Colonial ingredients. Be sure to select squash that are no bigger than four inches in diameter so that they will fit in a single layer in the baking dish.

It's really worth seeking out the cane syrup for this recipe — it makes for a much more complex-flavored ice cream. Look for cane syrup that is labeled "100 percent pure;" some brands are cut with corn syrup. Cane syrup is available at some southern supermarkets and by mail order for Steen's (800-725-1654). This recipe is an accompaniment for Peaches "Foster" with Cane Syrup Pecan Ice Cream. Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 5 hr (includes freezing)

The brownie is really more like a flourless chocolate cake. It puffs as it bakes, and falls and cracks as it cools.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Fudge is a holiday favorite throughout the South — some versions are creamy and others are granular. This recipe makes a deliciously dense, grainy fudge.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 4 hr (includes cooling)

Lisa Amundsen of Vancouver, British Columbia, writes: "On a recent trip to New York City, my husband and I stayed near Amy's Bread bakery. We sampled their excellent selection of breads, sandwiches, and sweets. We especially loved the grilled cheese sandwich. It was a little tangy, a little spicy, and altogether wonderful."