Rosemary

As the planner and coordinator of a cookbook for gourmet groups in Bakersfield, I test a lot of recipes," says Jackie Mote Carlile of Bakersfield, California. "This is one I developed and refined, and my friends and family agree that the final results are outstanding.' A quick and elegant entrée for the holidays.

Ideally, the sweet wine in the marinade should be Muscat, a famous Samos wine.

"At the restaurant Mimosa, the food, service, and ambiance transform a night in Los Angeles into an evening in Paris," says Michele Winkler of Sherman Oaks, California. "There, we had a delectable roast pork that was succulent on the inside, with a marvelous crust. We would love to prepare it at home." You can order the inexpensive "Boston" roast called for in this recipe from your butcher. In late-18th-century New England, some pork cuts were packed into casks or barrels, known as "butts," for storage and shipment. The way the pork shoulder was cut in the Boston area became known in some regions as "Boston butt," a moniker still used today almost everywhere in the United States, except Boston.

The extra marinade keeps up to three weeks in the refrigerator and is delicious used with chicken, lamb or beef, too.

It's almost as quick to make the citrus-herb glaze that coats the chicken as it is to open a bottle of barbecue sauce-and the glaze has a far more interesting taste. Pour a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc for the grown-ups; the kids should have lemonade. Finish up with watermelon and brownies. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This stuffing is perfect for the Roast Turkey with Herb Butter and Caramelized Onion-Balsamic Gravy

If fresh figs are difficult to find, a delicious alternative would be toasts or crackers spread with preserves-fig or peach, for example. If opting for preserves, use only half the honey called for in the goat cheese mixture. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Mashed Yams and Apples and Fried Onion Rings are superb accompaniments.

Complete the main course with buttered sweet potato chunks (they can roast alongside the chicken) and sautéed Swiss chard. Serve purchased éclairs for dessert.

A spectacular, satisfying side dish that's a quick and easy partner for sausages, grilled steaks or roast lamb.

This simple and delicious starter gets a hint of spiciness from cayenne pepper.

The lamb needs to marinate for a least eight hours, so start the recipe ahead of time. This menu is nice with light red wine, like Beaujolais. Purchase your favorite cookies and some top-notch ice cream to make home-made ice cream sandwiches; it's as easy as placing a scoop of ice cream onto a cookie and topping it with another cookie. Freeze the sandwiches until you're ready to indulge.

Great with egg noodles or mashed potatoes.