Ham

Ham and Thousand Island Dressing

This lemony pasta dish is great with sesame breadsticks and a salad of sliced tomatoes and Vidalia onions in a red-wine vinaigrette. End with hazelnut cookies and a mixed-melon compote splashed with Champagne.

Jambon au Sirop d'Erable Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 4 hr

If you buy a boneless ham, you'll still have the same amount of meat to eat, about 10 to 12 pounds (because the bone accounts for about 4 pounds). The bottom line is that the recipe directions are the same, regardless of the cut of ham.

Active time: 35 min Start to finish: 40 min

Each serving is baked en papillote, or wrapped individually in parchment paper to lock in steam for a more succulent result.

Despite what you may think from looking at the ingredient list, this mousse is not overly rich—the consistency is actually quite delicate. Pair the mousse with a green salad, and you've got a terrific brunch or light supper. Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 2 1/2 hr

Valerie Silveira of Bellevue, Washington, writes: "My husband and I recently dined at Cafe Juanita in nearby Kirkland, where we had a lovely appetizer of pasta with a creamy lemon sauce and prosciutto. That was six weeks ago, and I've been thinking about this marvelous dish ever since. I would very much appreciate your publishing the recipe so that others could enjoy it, too."

Hazelnuts and prosciutto are combined in a seasoned butter that coats the turkey as it roasts, and also flavors the gravy.

Dry-cured country ham can be substituted for the hickory-smoked ham called for here.

Kim Massman of Santa Monica, California, writes: "Help me, please. Since dining at The Federalist in the XV Beacon Hotel in Boston, I haven't been able to get the macaroni and cheese out of my mind. It was made with pasta, ham, and a creamy cheese sauce." The ham lends a salty flavor to this dish. Wait until the sauce is combined with the pasta and ham before seasoning with salt.

Rita Seger of Peru, Maine, writes: "My husband, a friend, and I hiked a spectacular trail along the rocky cliffs of the northern Maine coast. After roughing it for a couple of days, we enjoyed a night at the Weston House Bed & Breakfast in Eastport. The next morning, one of the owners served a delicious version of eggs Benedict and mentioned that the sauce was easier to make than a typical hollandaise. Could you request the recipe?" In this quick variation on eggs Benedict, mayonnaise flavored with mustard and orange juice replaces the traditional egg yolk and melted butter sauce.