Yam recipes

Polpettone Italian stuffed meat steaks sandwich ham and melted mozzarella between two herbed beef-and-veal patties, breaded crisp, then baked under tomato sauce and more cheese. The Italian-American answer to chicken cordon bleu.

Cajun chicken and sausage gumbo with a dark roux, ham, two kinds of sausage, Creole seasoning, and cayenne. A Louisiana party pot that feeds 15 to 20.

Black-eyed peas simmered in ham hock broth, tossed with sweet crabmeat, crispy bacon, tri-color bell peppers, and fresh herbs, then ringed with juicy ruby grapefruit sections. Southern elegance on a platter.

Baked Idaho potatoes topped with a creamy broccoli, mushroom, turkey ham, and Dijon mustard sauce made with yogurt instead of cream. A lighter loaded potato that's microwave-quick.

French pear tart with almond frangipane, kirsch-soaked apricot glaze, and vanilla-poached pears. Crushed macaroons fold into the pastry cream for chewy depth, finished with green pistachios.

Shrimp, chicken, water chestnuts, and Chinese ham wrapped in pork caul fat, deep-fried into crispy golden rolls, and served with hoisin dipping sauce. An impressive Chinese banquet appetizer with showstopping presentation.

Mango mousse cake with a sponge cake base, fresh mango puree mousse set with gelatin, toasted almonds, raspberry jam, and whipped cream. An impressive layered French-style dessert.

Quick black bean chili with honey-roasted ham, sweet corn, broccoli, and tomato in a cumin-chili broth. Serve over rice with crusty sourdough on the side. Ready in 45 minutes.

A show-stopping layered meringue cake with toasted almond dacquoise, caramel-orange buttercream filling, and glazed orange slices. A French patisserie masterpiece for special occasions.

Chinese noodle soup with fresh ginger, cellophane noodles, ham, watercress, snow peas, and mushrooms in a soy-sesame broth. A light, aromatic 30-minute soup with crisp vegetables and rice vinegar tang.

Traditional Chinese hot and sour soup with shredded pork, wood ears, black mushrooms, tofu, bamboo shoots, and silky egg ribbons. Thickened with cornstarch and spiced with white pepper and chili oil.

Mandarin hot and sour soup with shredded pork, tofu, wood ears, bamboo shoots, and silky egg ribbons in a tangy chili-vinegar broth. Restaurant-quality Chinese classic.

Instead of ordering pizza, why not make your own with this simple and delicious recipe.

Savory corn and ham pancakes fold leftover leg ham, corn kernels, red bell pepper, and green onions into a whole-wheat batter, then pan-fry to golden alongside blistered cherry tomatoes.

Whole flounder scored and stuffed with ginger, ham, and Chinese black mushrooms, steamed and finished with a soy-rice wine sauce. An elegant Cantonese-style steamed fish ready in 40 minutes.

Creole gumbo loaded with shrimp, crab, oysters, chicken wings, veal, ham bone, and okra, thickened with file powder. A true New Orleans-style gumbo served over rice.