Gourmet

Loose tea leaves tend to be of higher quality than tea bags, giving the truffles a fresher, more distinct flavor. Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 2 3/4 hr

Chinese broccoli (gai lan) is always sold flowering, though its buds are usually still closed.

If you can't find kumquats, don't panic — the recipe works fine without them. Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

North African spices combine with a touch of honey and lemon in a refreshing summer soup.

This recipe is an accompaniment for Pan-Seared Salmon over Red Cabbage and Onions with Merlot Gastrique. Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 30 min

Navain d'Agneau Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 2 hr

Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 1 hr

The rolls should be served warm, so reheat them in batches as platters need replenishing.

The size of tapioca pearls varies widely. What one brand calls "small," another brand might term "large," so don't pay much attention to the label. Instead, look for pearls that are 1/8 to 3/16 inch in diameter for making this dessert.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 10 hr

We decided to serve these shooters in small glasses, so in order for the gelée to slide out easily we made sure the tomato ginger water is thickened but not set. We call for 60 glasses in this recipe, but for simplicity the clams can be served in their shells: Double the amount of gelatin, keeping all other measurements the same, and chill the mixture with cilantro and clams in well-scrubbed shells instead. Whichever presentation you choose, it's very important to cook the ginger thoroughly and to clean the food processor because otherwise the enzymes from the raw ginger will inhibit the action of the gelatin.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 8 1/4 hr (includes chilling and freezing)

"I came up with this recipe to make use of the immersion blender that I received as a gift," writes Heather Prudhon of Santa Clara, California. "It makes a good quantity of sauce and tastes great served over rice."

"The tagliatelle with parsnips and pancetta at Babbo is a wonder," says Aleksandra Crapanzano of New York, New York. " I would be thrilled to have the recipe." A good substitute for the homemade tagliatelle used at Babbo is dried egg fettuccine or taglierini—we particularly like the Cipriani brand. Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 20 min

Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 10 min