Electric Mixer

California is among the four leading honey producers in the country. And Texas produces some of the finest pecans. This pie has a touch of honey in the filling, in the topping and in the crunchy coating for the pecan garnish. An extra batch of the honeyed pecans is a great snack or holiday hostess gift.

In this recipe, dense chocolate cake is topped with a glaze made from raspberry jam and chocolate-fresh berries are the finishing touch. This dessert is elegant picnic fare: Prepare the bars a day ahead, and pack in a covered container.

In this easy version of the classic napoleon, crisp phyllo pastry squares are layered with lemon cream and raspberries. Jars of ready-made lemon curd are available in the preserves section of most supermarkets.

For variety, try adding one-half cup dried currants or chopped nuts.

(Toasted Almond, Cinnamon and Chocolate Torte)

Thirty-six garlic cloves may sound like a lot, but they're cooked until mellow in flavor. This recipe was created to accompany Spiced Beef Tenderloin Steaks with Mango Salsa.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

(Gruyère Cheese Puffs)

First came the grasshopper cocktail, a sweet digestif the essential ingredients of which are green (thus the grasshopper) crème de menthe, white crème de cacao, and cream; then, in the sixties, came the eponymous pie, which always has a crust of either cookie or graham cracker crumbs and is served chilled.

(LES SCOURTINS AUX OLIVES DE NYONS) Jean-Pierre Autrand of Les Vieux Moulins in Nyons, Provence, shared the family recipe for these crisp, salty-sweet cookies.

If you want crisp cookies, serve these on the same day they're made; they soften even when stored in an airtight container.