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Smoked and fresh fish join forces in this much-appreciated update to the often-maligned gefilte fish. To get the job done faster, use two skillets.

These are no ordinary corn dogs. The fragrant buttermilk-cornmeal batter is laced with a hint of honey, spices, and delicious crumbles of bacon.

This fun Brazilian street food is traditionally formed into the shape of a drumstick to represent the main filling ingredient: chicken. In fact, coxinha (pronounced co-SHEEN-ya) means "little chicken drumsticks" in Portuguese. We like to make them extra mini for snacking.

This harkens to those beloved jam-filled cookies that have been favorites in cookie jars for generations. This savory twist embellishes the dough with Parmesan cheese, the jam in question made with tomato and tart cherries. The jam recipe makes more than is needed for this batch of cookies, but it's not practical to make in smaller quantities. Extra will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Spread it on turkey or ham sandwiches, slather it on chicken breasts before baking, or serve as an accompaniment to cheese. You can use dried cranberries in place of the dried tart cherries, if you like. For a short-cut version, you could nix making the jam here and simply use prepared plum or fig jam, or another minimally sweet jam.

It's the crispy fried skin that makes wings a diet no-go. Using chicken tenders keeps 'em healthy.

We subbed baked chips for fried. Same flavor, less fat.

These mini-taters keep portion size in check, so you can enjoy cheesy, bacony goodness without thinking twice.

This twist on pasta carbonara is sweet from leeks and rich thanks to cream (in place of eggs).

To save time, use canned chickpeas instead of dried.

Don't say we didn't warn you! These hors d'oeuvre–size soft tacos will be gobbled up faster than you can say tinga de pollo. But no need to fear, because the recipe is easily doubled, which means you'll be tasting and toasting until the clock strikes midnight. Editor's Note: This recipe is part of Gourmet's Modern Menu for A New Years' Eve Pasrty. Menu also includes Turkish Spiced Meatballs with Pomegranate Yogurt Sauce and Parmesan Pepper Curly Kale Chips .

Mussels, halibut and shrimp flavored with chicken broth and white wine makes an outstanding fish soup that’s ready from the start in 30 minutes.

All the great flavors of your favorite guacamole are combined in this easy-to-make soup that’s ready in a snap.

Ready in less than an hour, this satisfying twist on traditional chili tastes like it’s been simmering all day!

These tempting appetizers look like they’re difficult to make... but they’re not. They feature a spinach, onion and cheese filling simply rolled up in flaky puff pastry and sliced into pinwheels.

Want to impress your guests? Then whip up a batch of these delectable puff-pastry wrapped shrimp stuffed with a mix of cheese, bacon and parsley. They’re superb!

Easy to prepare, but oh so elegant...these tempting appetizers feature asparagus spears individually wrapped with prosciutto, garlic & herb cheese and flaky puff pastry.

Company coming? Here’s an easy and elegant breakfast or brunch idea that your guests will really enjoy. It features puff pastry shells filled with egg, cheese, bacon and chopped chives!

Nutritionists love quinoa for its low glycemic index; we love how this dish reinforces the idea that healthy food should pack a lot of flavor. Fresh herbs, plus crunchy nuts, keeps things interesting.