Gourmet

In this recipe we call for a 3- by 1 1/2-inch stainless-steel pastry ring. It is available at some specialty cookware shops.

These chicken wings need to marinate for at least 8 hours — we recommend putting them in the refrigerator before you go to bed so they'll be ready for roasting the next day. The deep, almost beeflike flavor of these wings comes from the red wine in the marinade; both the wings and the mayonnaise get a boost from the Spanish smoked paprika.

"I adapted this recipe from The Fannie Farmer Baking Book," says Ashley-George Menger of New Vernon, New Jersey. "It's the easiest chocolate cake I've ever made—you don't even need a bowl. I love to serve it around the holidays, and with friends and family around, it disappears fast!" You can also make this cake in 2 (8 1/2- by 4 1/2- by 2 1/2-inch) loaf pans.

Preserving a Meyer lemon captures its glorious perfume. We’ve adapted cookbook author Paula Wolfert’s quick method, our favorite, and made it even faster by blanching the lemons first. The rind of a preserved lemon is a common ingredient in Moroccan dishes; we also love it in all kinds of soups, stews, and salads and as a low-fat alternative to olives. Save the pulp for Bloody Marys or anything else enlivened by a little lemon juice and salt.

Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 1 hr.

This recipe is a variation on the classic Jewish honey cake, which is traditionally eaten at joyful celebrations such as betrothals, weddings, and the New Year, when it symbolizes the hope that the future will be sweet.

This recipe is from Cafe Annie in Houston, TX.

"My grandmother, who was a successful restaurateur from C″rdoba, Spain, hesitantly relinquished her gazpacho recipe to me," says Lawrence Saez of San Francisco, CA. This nourishing cold soup is ideal for a hot summer day and is best enjoyed with a glass of Manzanilla Sherry.

To get the look we wanted for this tart, we used grapes in assorted colors and shapes and halved the larger ones. Taste grapes before making the pastry cream. Their flavor will determine how much sugar you use— if the grapes are tart, use 1/3 cup sugar; if sweet, use 1/4 cup.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Water, rather than oil, serves as the counterpoint to vinegar in this rich and savory dressing, which is wonderful spooned over shredded Napa cabbage or cooked fish or cauliflower, or tossed with boiled sliced potatoes.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.