Fruit

Tapioca, like semolina, is one of those things that a school kitchen could have turned you off for life. I couldn't eat it for years, having been force-fed it at primary school aged six, with tinned jam, as it oozed like frogspawn out of the bowl and I wept and retched. For years I had the same malicious feeling toward beets and mashed potatoes, which were instant and came in lumpy granules. My teacher and I had a silent war every lunchtime; a war that eventually came to an end after my parents removed me from the school. Made to your own wont, in your own kitchen, tapioca is ambrosial, and worth being a grown-up for, as is semolina. This could also be a pudding, not a breakfast, just don't serve it with dog food–like tinned jam. Try a lovely homemade compote instead.

With a tropical flair really sweetens things up. Chop fruit in advance; assemble day of. Done!

Is one made with cocktails in hand. Float a cranberry or two on top to snaz them up.

Way to warm up the room—especially if it's spiked.

Pancakes say lazy-day lounging with friends. Sour-cherry syrup, which you can make a week ahead, adds a twist on taste.

With a savory salad. Dress kale a day ahead; toss at the table.

Low-fat yogurt with fresh oranges is a quick, sensible alternative to an ice cream sundae; the red wine gives the caramel a fruity acidity.

The fried olives used to garnish this colorful salad just might become your new favorite. Try scattered over crostini or salads.

This heady mulled wine recipe is perfect for the holiday season—or any time you’re looking for something fragrant and cozy.

Sake-infused flounder fillets cook over a bed of pan-seared bok choy in this simple, one-skillet dinner.

Throughout France, these traditional fried cookies are called "marvels" for good reason. For crisp, golden results, be sure that the oil is hot enough before you begin.

Unlike your traditional holiday ham, fresh ham is uncured and unsmoked. We pack it in an herb cure for several days for incredible flavor and juiciness. When roasted, the skin transforms into addictive, crispy-sweet cracklings that may cause fighting among guests.

Think of this dinner party- friendly dessert as the love child of a financier (a springy nut-flour cake) and an apple cobbler. For a twist, you can also make it with pears or a combination of both.

The trick to making these cookies is to go low and slow—both on the stove-top and in the oven—to prevent the egg whites from scrambling.

Vinegar is the key ingredient in the tart, refreshing beverages known as shrubs.

This cocktail is a fruitier, spritzy, almost punchlike take on the usual Old Fashioned.

Want super-crisp chicken without having to add much fat? Start with a room-temperature pan: As the skillet becomes hot, the chicken skin will gradually render its fat, becoming browned and crackling.

Let’s be clear: If you’re hosting the dinner party to end all dinner parties—Grandma’s good china is out of storage, the napkins have been ironed, and you’re polishing the silver—this is the ultimate first course. At first glance it may resemble a basic pear-and-arugula salad, but look closer and you’ll find that everything about it is just a little bit special, from the Champagne vinaigrette, to the creamy, salty ricotta salata, to the rich and savory pancetta. The ingredients do cost a little more, but it’s worth it.

With tender acorn squash, salty pancetta, a pungent and tart vinaigrette, and bitter chicory, this hearty salad is layered in flavor and texture. It will take you through all of winter, and would fit perfectly on most holiday buffets. You can use other winter squashes, including butternut, and bacon or prosciutto can easily stand in for the pancetta.

Plump Medjool dates stuffed with creamy herbed goat cheese and wrapped in fresh basil and crispy prosciutto make for seriously addictive eating. Plus, these salty-sweet bundles are quite possibly the easiest hors d’oeuvre you’ll ever make. Stuff and wrap the dates a couple of hours ahead, then arrange on a baking sheet, cover with plastic, and refrigerate until party time. When your guests arrive, pop the dates under the broiler and serve immediately.