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Duck, turkey or dark chicken meat can substitute for the goose with equally delicious results. Fine accompaniments are a green salad with Roquefort vinaigrette and hot crusty bread. For a quick and sophisticated dessert, add a bit of red wine and ground cinnamon to canned pears with their syrup.

This dish, a specialty of northern Italy's Emilia-Romagna, is named for the regions capital city. Although the meaty sauce is classically paired with tagliatelle (ribbon pasta just slightly wider than fettuccine), it also marries well with a variety of pasta shapes that trap the savory sauce.

Based on a recipe from chef Angel García of Lúculo in Madrid, Spain.

White, black, green and pink peppercorns add wonderful flavor to this very special prime rib. If possible, search out a butcher who carries dry-aged beef-it's more tender, flavorful and juicy than the non-aged variety. A full-bodied California Cabernet Sauvignon or French Bordeaux is the perfect wine to serve. As for vegetables, mix butter and tarragon with cooked baby carrots and green beans for a delicious accompaniment.

This eggplant and lamb casserole, a taverna staple, is known the world over as the Greek national dish. In this lightened version, it's topped with yogurt rather than the customary béchamel sauce. (Moussaka is often made with beef instead of lamb.)

A clever combination of textures and flavors in a spectacular entreè. Asparagus and French rolls are good on the side; offer a dry GewÜrztraminer to drink.

While fondue originated in the French-speaking part of Switzerland (the word means "melted" in French), the dish has become an international favorite. The principal ingredients are cheese (usually Gruyère mixed with either Emmenthal or Appenzeller), white wine, kirsch and garlic. But there are as many variations on that theme as there are mountains in Switzerland.

Bake this dessert ahead so it can chill overnight.

Make two trifles to serve 30 guests, or make one and round out the dessert table with fruitcake and goodies from the bakery.

For a quick sauce to go with the fish, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard and chopped fresh dill.

We admit we've never been big clafouti fans, but this recipe won us over. It's the lightest version of the dish we've ever had. In the fall and winter, innkeepers Bob and Caroline Taylor like to make this dessert with pears, flavoring it with powdered ginger.