Oyster

What northerners call stuffing, southerners call dressing. Oysters and eggplant are a classic Louisiana combination, and the bite of cayenne adds to the authenticity. Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 2 1/2 hr

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Hangtown Fry This omelet hails from Hangtown, a town northeast of Sacramento that was named for the notorious hangings once held there (it's now called Placerville). The dish seems to have come into existence during the Gold Rush, as the high-priced breakfast of a lucky miner, and later became a specialty at San Francisco's Tadich Grill. It is traditionally served with bacon.

This recipe, part of our Throwback Thanksgiving feature, is from our 1970 issue. Instead of green pepper, add some heat by making this with jalapeño.

Adding oysters and bacon incorporates textural contrasts and bold flavor hits to up the intrigue.