Yam recipes

Long life noodles with egg: blanched egg noodles topped with wilted spinach, a soft-poached egg, and a glossy soy-sesame chicken broth. Chinese New Year birthday tradition in a bowl.

Classic English trifle with raspberry-jam-soaked sponge cake, brandy, sherry, silky vanilla custard, and whipped cream. A showstopping layered dessert served in a glass bowl for maximum visual drama.

Apple pie with apricot glaze layers tart Granny Smith apples over a custard pastry cream and finishes with a layer of apricot preserves under the top crust. A French-style twist on classic American apple pie.

Honey baked ham basted in pineapple juice and brown sugar, served with a glossy ruby Cumberland sauce of port wine, currants, julienned citrus rind, currant jelly, and dark sweet cherries.

Greek Pasta Flora with a Cognac-butter pastry crust and a rich filling of stewed apricots, dried figs, raisins, apricot jam, and orange zest. A traditional Athenian lattice tart.

Charcoal grilled salmon steaks marinated in lemon, olive oil, and basil, served over spicy black beans simmered with ham, jalapenos, and fresh thyme. A smoky, protein-packed summer plate.

Velvet corn soup is a classic Chinese egg drop soup with creamed corn, chicken broth, fresh ginger, and dry sherry, thickened with cornstarch and swirled with frothy egg whites.

Giant stuffed hero sandwich baked in homemade dough with layers of ham, salami, Swiss, cheddar, sauteed peppers and onions, and Dijon mustard. A party-sized hot sub that feeds a crowd.

Fried shrimp wonton soup with crispy golden wontons, a cornstarch-thickened chicken broth, silky egg white ribbons, and smoky Smithfield ham garnish. A banquet-style Chinese soup.

Twice-baked potato 'boats' stuffed with scrambled eggs, ham, zucchini, red pepper, and Parmesan. A hearty handheld brunch dish that delivers the eggs-and-hash-browns combo in one shell.

Old-fashioned blackberry jam cake with warm spices, pecans, and raisins topped with silky caramel icing. Southern heritage cake with allspice, cloves, and buttermilk crumb.

Mango mousse cake with airy sponge base, raspberry jam ribbon, fresh mango cream mousse, and a crown of toasted almond slices and whipped cream rosettes. A patisserie-worthy showstopper.

I used Cornish Game Hens, but you could also use a cut up chicken. If you can't get winter melon, watermelon will work. Winter melon is white, very mild tasting and a tad denser than watermelon. I think you could get away using something like Honeydew too.

Mama's Italian Meatloaf is a rolled masterpiece stuffed with ham, mushrooms, and gooey mozzarella. Seasoned with oregano and garlic, then brushed with tangy pizza sauce for a hearty Italian-American dinner.

Crispy phyllo crust filled with tofu-apricot cream spiked with honey, topped with glazed canned apricots and optional chocolate drizzle.

Savory Southwest corn muffins stuffed with diced ham, pepper jack cheese, green chiles, and red bell pepper. Hearty enough for a meal with a side salad.