Almond

(MEZZELUNE AI PIGNOLI) Cookies made with pine nuts can be found in bakeries all over Umbria, which probably isn't too surprising for a region filled with pine trees. These crescents have a wonderful chewy texture. The dough is very soft, so you will need to flour your fingers to shape it. But don't inadvertently use too much flour, or the cookies will be tough.

There's no butter or oil in these crisp cookies, which are perfect with the Fruit In Spiced Wine For the best texture, be sure to slice them thinly. To keep them crunchy, carry them to the picnic in an airtight container.

(TARTE AU CITRON)

(TARTE D'ABRICOTS AU MIEL ET AUX AMANDES) In early summer, apricots are abundant in Provence; here, we've called for canned apricots, which are always available.

"Mimosa, a delightful French bistro in Los Angeles, has a catchy motto: 'No Truffles, No Caviar, No Bizarre Concoctions,'" says Bob Woods of Garden Grove, California. "The food is spectacular, and the setting is lovely. After dinner one evening, I had a slice of meringue with custard sauce, caramel sauce and candied almonds, a dessert called Île Flottante." Mimosa's version of this classic French dessert is impressive in presentation and taste. Note that you can prepare the caramel sauce, the custard and the almonds a day ahead. Be sure to reserve the egg yolks for use in the custard sauce.

Kugels are baked puddings that come in many forms; Their base may be noodles, matzo, or bread or cake crumbs; most are sweet but some are savory; and they may be served warm or cold. Traditionally part of Jewish sabbath and holiday meals, slightly sweet noodle kugels are often served as a side dish. The following kugel would also work well as a dessert.

Nougat is an egg white, honey and nut confection traditional in the city of Montélimar, in the Rhône Valley. It is one of the 13 sweets offered to churchgoers on Christmas Eve. Start making this impressive dessert at least one day before you plan to serve it, although it can be prepared up to one week ahead.

The mix of flavors in this side dish is great with broiled lamb chops or roast chicken.

"Blue Moon in Dayton serves a fabulous goat cheese salad with a raspberry-poppy seed dressing," writes Susan M. Berry of Dayton, Ohio. "Would they share the recipe?"

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 1 1/4 hr

The sweet, nutty filling might remind you of a pecan pie — with melted chocolate chips.

"I've always loved to cook, and though at eighty-nine I'm slowing down, I still love it," writes Mary Gareffa of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts. "My grandfather and my father were both cooks in a monastery in Reggio Calabria, Italy, before they moved to this country, and luckily for me, my father was my cooking teacher. These are time-tested recipes for some everyday dishes that I grew up with and later served to my own family." Pasta frolla, Italian sweet pastry dough, is the tender press-in crust for this easy tart.

Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 3 3/4 hr See how to roll out dough.

Steve Silverman of South Burlington, Vermont, writes: "I consider myself more of a baker than a cook. When my kids were in elementary school and the only bread available at the supermarket was plain and white, I started baking. At one point, I was making five to ten loaves a week. But now I'm known for my challahs, which I give as presents during the holidays." This crunchy, not-too-sweet granola makes a terrific breakfast served with nonfat milk, or a delicious snack on its own.

Ground almonds add a delicate nutty flavor to the crust. Begin making the filling a day before assembling the tart; once completed, it can be chilled another day before serving.

Moroccan Turkey Pie Traditionally, Moroccan b'stilla is a pie made with minced squab.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.