Name: Fig-Sesame Jam
Yield: Makes about 3 1/2 cups
Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups sugar; 3/4 cup water; 2 lb firm-ripe fresh figs, trimmed and quartered; 2 (3- by 1-inch) strips fresh lemon zest; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted

Image may contain Food Toast Bread and French Toast

Fig-Sesame JamMiki Duisterhof

This jam is tasty on toast alone, or with some Manchego cheese.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 2 1/4 hr

Cooks' notes:

Jam keeps, covered and chilled, 1 month. Toast seeds in a dry heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring until fragrant and a shade or two darker. Or, toast in a shallow baking pan in a 350°F oven, 5 to 10 minutes.

Recipe notes

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Okonomiyaki Tater Tots

Crispy tots topped with savory-sweet sauce, mayonnaise, furikake, scallion, and katsuobushi.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Sheet-Pan Chicken Souvlaki

Tender, juicy chicken skewers are possible in the oven—especially when roasted alongside spiced chickpeas and finished with fresh tomatoes and salty feta.

Mascarpone Cheesecake

An extra-silky filling (no water bath needed!) and a smooth sour cream topping make this the ultimate cheesecake.

Crispy Salmon With Avocado Sauce

You’ll want to put this creamy (but dairy-free) green sauce on everything and it’s particularly sublime under crispy-skinned salmon.