Yam recipes

Southern blackberry jam cake spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Buttermilk tang, raisins, and nuts in a moist layer cake straight out of an Appalachian heirloom box.

Loaded potato cheese soup with broccoli, celery, carrots, ham, and sharp cheddar spread. A creamy weeknight one-pot soup ready in 40 minutes.

Classic Linzer squares and thumbprint cookies with toasted hazelnut dough, cinnamon and raspberry jam filling. Austrian-style Christmas cookie baking from one batch of dough.

Chocolate raspberry brownies hide a ribbon of raspberry jam baked into the center of a dense, fudgy walnut brownie. A clever freezing trick suspends the jam mid-batter so every square has a tart raspberry surprise.

Peanut butter and jelly streusel bars with a brown sugar PB cookie base, strawberry jam middle, and oat-crumble topping. The lunchbox sandwich reinvented for the cookie tray.

Penne with prosciutto and vodka sauce simmers crushed tomatoes with vodka, garlic, prosciutto, and a splash of cream into a silky pink pasta sauce. Topped with Parmesan and red pepper heat.

Ham mousse with peaches, a savory baked custard of ground ham, eggs, cream, Dijon mustard, and port wine, unmolded and garnished with fresh peaches, pickled watermelon rind, and almonds.

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

Gluten-free red beans and rice, New Orleans style, with ham, the holy trinity of onion, celery, and bell pepper, plus garlic and crushed red chili. Hearty Cajun comfort over brown rice.

Quick potato and ham bake with a Bisquick crust, hash brown potatoes, cream of mushroom soup, smoked ham, peas and carrots, and melted cheddar. One pan, 40 minutes, dinner done.

Creamy Northwoods wild rice soup with chicken, ham, carrots, and celery in a half-and-half broth thickened with a butter-flour roux. A Minnesota classic with a splash of sherry.

Main dish potato salad with cubed ham, hard-boiled eggs, celery, and green onions in a cottage cheese and sour cream dressing with mustard. A hearty no-cook meal served cold on lettuce.

Crispy deep-fried ham and sauerkraut balls with cream cheese, onion, and mustard in a golden breadcrumb coating for appetizers or main dish.

Georgian lobio tkemali: tender red beans tossed warm with tangy plum jam, red wine vinegar, garlic, and fresh cilantro. Served at room temperature. A taste of the Caucasus.

Walnut-crusted chicken breasts pan-fried golden and topped with a tangy raspberry-lime sauce made with sherry, seedless jam, and coriander. Elegant yet simple.

Skip the rolling pin. This press-in crust gets layered with raspberry jam, creamy cheesecake filling, and cinnamon-dusted apple slices fanned in a pinwheel. Easier than pie, literally.