Yam recipes

Fruit and chocolate dream squares with a buttery shortbread crust, raspberry jam, milk chocolate chips, and a pecan streusel topping. Layered bar cookies baked until golden and crumbly.

Quick red beans and rice with diced ham, cayenne, cumin, and hot sauce over brown rice. A Cajun-spiced skillet dinner ready in 25 minutes using pre-cooked ingredients.

Cheddar ham chowder loaded with potatoes, carrots, celery, and corn in a thick cheese sauce. A hearty one-pot soup that uses leftover ham and comes together fast.

Jalapeño, raspberry and pecans blend beautifully in this thumbprint cookie from Anna Marie Bleich of California, Mo.

Beau's notes: * There are no "jalapeno beans;" there are jalapeno peppers and pinto beans. I have two recipes, both of which are quite tref, but a Catholic should worry? But if you are hosting a Jewish person, smoked turkey will substitute most agreeably for the chazer called for in either recipe.]

Tender cream cheese cookies studded with coconut and apricot preserves for jewel-like drops that bake up golden and soft.

Old-fashioned navy bean soup simmered with smoky ham hocks, carrots, celery, and onions. Partially pureed for a thick, creamy body. Soak overnight, simmer low for 3 hours.

A fast egg bake layered over store-bought biscuit dough with diced ham and two melted cheeses. Feeds 6, takes 40 minutes, and uses ingredients you probably already have. Weekend brunch, weeknight dinner, works both ways.

Raspberries, a member of the rose family, impart a delicious aroma and spark of flavor to this creative sauce. It is especially good with roast duckling.

Caldo Gallego: hearty Galician white bean stew with salt pork, ham bone, chorizo, potatoes, and collard greens. A slow-simmered Spanish comfort stew that warms you to the bone.

A rich, custard-filled quiche with melted brie, browned ham, green onions, Parmesan, and a touch of nutmeg in a flaky pre-baked crust. French bistro brunch at home.

Traditional stovetop split pea soup thickened with a classic butter-flour roux for hearty, stick-to-your-ribs comfort. Old-fashioned technique delivers rich flavor.

A variation of the classic french canadian pea soup.

The original Derbyshire classic: flaky puff pastry spread with strawberry jam and topped with a soft, buttery almond egg custard. Not a tart. A proper Bakewell pudding.

If you're too busy to make dinner, then try this simple crockpot recipe that will have a succulent dish ready just in time for supper!

Spargel in Weisser Sosse: German white asparagus in a creamy white sauce with julienned ham and freshly grated nutmeg. A classic springtime German side dish ready in 20 minutes.