Herbs & Spices

This pie needs no introduction. It probably doesn't even need a recipe—everyone has a favorite way to make it. Here is mine.

Berbere is a chile and spice blend used to season many Ethiopian dishes. Because authentic berbere can be hard to find, we developed our own recipe. Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 15 min

This recipe is an accompaniment for Tunisian Fish Cakes with Spicy Lemon and Paprika Aioli .

This recipe makes great use of the tough outer leaves of romaine, which are often discarded.

Cooking Time: 6 hours on HIGH plus another 6 hours on LOW
Slow Cooker Size: 5 quart There will be no leftovers. This recipe will make you fall in love with your slow cooker. Your house will be perfumed with the aromas of southern France. Enjoy!

This one can also be a spritzer. Pour into a collins or highball glass and top with a little club soda.

Veracruz-style mixed seafood is the centerpiece of a festive meal that's rounded out with rice and vegetables. To present it as pictured, mound the seafood salad over the Mexican Rice and surround with the Tricolor Vegetable Sauté . A piquant dressing is drizzled over the seafood and mixed into the rice.

Serve with: Potato and green bean salad.

Offer crusty bread to dip into the wonderful broth. What to drink: A crisp, citrusy Sauvignon Blanc from California or ice-cold pale ale.

We decided to use sweetened flaked coconut rather than fresh coconut for this recipe because it not only saves time but enhances the overall flavor of the dish, adding a touch of subtle sweetness. Soaking the basmati rice strengthens the grains to prevent the rice from breaking down during cooking.

This recipe yields more ginger syrup than you'll need for the fruit salad. Add a spoonful to a glass of club soda, sparkling water, or iced tea for a refreshing summer drink. Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 2 1/2 hr (includes chilling)

Use any variety of young, small potatoes at the market — such as fingerlings, baby reds, or small Yukon Golds or yellow Finns.

If you're short on time, you can substitute bottled red curry paste (we recommend Mae Ploy brand) for homemade, but the flavor will not be as nuanced. There will be some curry paste left over after making the jungle curry and steamed catfish. Simply stir the remainder together with unsweetened coconut milk to give chicken, shrimp, or mussels a Thai spin. Active time: 1 1/2 hr Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 40 min

This salad is wonderfully refreshing even without purslane, but if you can find the green at your produce market, it's worth using for the nice crunch it adds. Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 30 min

Serve with: Yellow rice pilaf mixed with baby peas, and buttered steamed spinach.

If you prefer to present these halibut steaks with additional grill marks (as in the photo), you can grill the skin sides for about 1 minute each before grilling flesh.