Broil

Crush the anise seeds with the side of a large heavy knife. Broiling the honey-coated plum makes it caramelized and tender. Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 10 min

Rajas are a type of stewed chili pepper. In Mexico they are traditionally served with different broiled meats.

A true demi-glace — the luscious sauce made by reducing homemade stock and red wine to a rich concentration — needs to simmer for several hours, making it the perfect activity for a lazy winter Sunday.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 1 hr

An Italian dish that's great with brunch, or as a light lunch or appetizer on its own.

Made in minutes and very festive. Pour a chilled dry white wine.

Baked egg roll wrappers make a crisp, low-fat base for the roasted mushroom topping.

Jars of mixed peppercorns—red, green, white and black—can be found in supermarket spice racks. Uncork a bottle of Zinfandel to go with this simple, great-tasting main course.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Puerto Nuevo, a seaside village in Baja California, Mexico, is famous for its Pacific spiny lobster. For food safety, be sure to broil the lobsters immediately after they have been boiled and split. What to drink: Assorted chilled Mexican beers.

The aged goat cheese called for in this recipe is firmer than fresh and has a dry rind. Two kinds work best in this dish, Bucheron and Pouligny-St.-Pierre, both of which have just the right amount of tang — but ask at the cheese counter for comparable substitutes if you have trouble finding them. Cafe Pasqual's, in Santa Fe, serves its version of this dish — "pigs 'n' figs" — with blue cheese. Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 45 min

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Crumbled feta cheese makes a nice topping.

This fresh chutney is an excellent condiment for beef, chicken, and fish.