Yam recipes

Good luck New Year's soup: a hearty mix of black-eyed peas, lentils, and beans simmered low with smoky ham, tomato, and garlic until thick. The legume-packed pot that's said to bring prosperity in the new year.

Gateau de mousse a la nectarine: a refined French entremet of airy nectarine mousse layered with schnapps-soaked genoise, finished with a glossy peach glaze and toasted-crumb sides. A patisserie showpiece.

Chicken pinwheels made from pounded chicken breasts rolled around ham slices with basil and garlic, baked and chilled, then sliced into elegant rounds. A make-ahead appetizer that looks impressive with minimal effort.

Austrian Mozart cookies with a buttery shortbread base, apricot rum filling, and confectioners sugar. Elegant sandwich cookies with a ring-and-circle design.

Layered leftover casserole with sliced baked potatoes, chopped ham, and a creamy spinach-nutmeg sauce. The smartest way to turn yesterday's dinner into tonight's comfort food.

This version of Eggs Benedict uses a quick blender technique to make the Hollandaise sauce. Similar to making homemade mayonnaise.

Parchment-wrapped potato parcels: microwave papillote packets of sliced ham, potato, zucchini, winter squash, and red pepper with lemon and basil. A 15-minute single-serve dinner, no dishes to wash.

Jam tarts press tender cream cheese pastry around dollops of fruit jam for bite-size, flaky tea-time pastries with golden browned edges. A 7-ingredient throwback for the cookie tin.

Scored ham rubbed with brown sugar and dry mustard, studded with whole cloves, and served with a glossy Cumberland sauce of apple jelly, citrus, and honey. A British classic for holiday feasts.

The sweetness of apricot preserves is brightened with lemon and balanced by a bit of cayenne pepper with some toasted nuts for added texture.

Belgian endive wrapped in ham and baked au gratin with a cheesy bechamel sauce, breadcrumbs, and fresh tomato slices. A classic Belgian comfort dish for dinner or an elegant appetizer.

French apple cake topped with Granny Smith apples, a brown sugar-cinnamon crumble, and a glossy apricot glaze. A bakery-worthy dessert with a tender crumb.

Pineapple cream cheese pizza on bread dough with a sweet cream cheese and crushed pineapple filling, strawberry jam, and toasted almonds. A dessert pizza kids and adults love.

Cravatta with asparagus spears wrapped in ham, spread with shallot-mustard cream sauce, and baked with Fontina and Parmesan until bubbly and golden.

The sweetness of apricot preserves is brightened with lemon and balanced by a bit of cayenne pepper with some toasted nuts for added texture. This recipe is lightened by replacing the typical mayo with yogurt and delivers a cleaner taste on the palate.

Lemon custard pie with a press-in oil crust, topped with fresh sliced strawberries glazed in melted jam. A make-ahead dessert with a light, soufflé-like lemon filling.