Electric Mixer

Over the past century, pecans have become closely associated with the South. However, walnuts were actually the pecan's predecessor in the Low Country, and were far more popular in earlier times.

Passover without macaroons is like Rosh Hashanah without sweet honey cake or Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie. Sephardic macaroons use lemon zest for flavoring rather than almond extract. The secret to good macaroons is beating the egg whites just right and not overbaking the cookies.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 1 1/4 hr

Lime and grapefruit juices enhance the creamy white-chocolate filling in this treat.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This decadent dessert is even better made a day ahead, so the flavors can mellow overnight in the refrigerator.

White chocolate plus dark chocolate equals the ultimate combination. Here's a dessert sandwich of white and dark chocolate hearts filled with luscious chocolate mousse. Keep the hearts cold as you work with them (and until serving) to prevent breakage.