Cheese

Dorothy Williams of Vancouver, British Columbia, writes: "To celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, my husband and I spent a week in Victoria, British Columbia. We particularly enjoyed Abigail's Hotel, where we had some delicious carrot-coconut cupcakes." For a lovely breakfast muffin, omit the cream cheese frosting.

These Colombian corn pancakes do a good job of soaking up the juices from the pork.

Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 4 hr (includes chilling)

Quick, upscale and delicious. Leftover garbanzo bean spread makes a great dip for carrot and celery sticks.

One of the great blue cheeses of the world, real English Stilton transforms potatoes au gratin into something extraordinary.

Can be prepared in 45 minues or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

For a more colorful presentation of this down-home dip, we reserved some bacon, bell pepper, scallions, and basil for garnish. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Often called black cakes, spice cakes flavored with molasses are a perennial on the southern dessert buffet.

The 1990s opened with American cooks finding their way back to some of the foods and flavors of our country's beginning, then modifying them with new knowledge gained over time. Cheesecakes have been around for centuries, but they've never been more popular in the United States than they are right now. Pumpkin, too, is a New World food for which tradition reserves an honored place at any Thanksgiving table. We've teamed up these old favorites with luscious caramel in a creamy dessert that's right in step with the times.

Short of time? Then skip the broiling, and serve the crostini cold.

A rich and elegant special-occasion dish.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Makes use of the microwave oven.