A zesty way to get your vegetables - mushrooms combined with a light cream, then poured over steamed asparagus tips.

Ingredients: Asparagus, mushrooms, shallots, cream, butter, lemon juice.

A traditional Southern favorite: Clams are steamed and left in their shells, then covered in a tasty sauce with breadcrumbs.

Ingredients: Clams, garlic, parsley, oregano, bread crumbs, white wine, lemon, s/p.

A dramatic finish to your meal: A syrupy banana sauce with raisins and other fruits, lit on fire and dripped over vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients: Bananas, dark rum, raisins, orange juice, lemon juice, cinnamon, brown sugar, butter, ice cream.

Cumin gives a pleasant Eastern flavor to the carrots, while the orange juice sweetens the entire dish at the end.

Ingredients: Carrots, cumin seed, orange juice, garlic, olive oil, bay leaves, butter.

A classic Southern recipe, with just a hint of spice.

Ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, pimiento, mushrooms, tomato sauce, paprika, hot sauce, onion, garlic, lemon juice, flour, salt.

A tasty and original appetizer: small balls of pumpkin, scallion and green chile, rolled in shredded coconut and deep-fried until crispy and golden. NOTE: Green pepper can be substituted for the chile.

Ingredients: Pumpkin, onion, green chile, scallions, coconut, eggs, garlic, parsley, flour, salt, peanut oil. Served with soy sauce.

A simple yet beautiful dish: chocolate is melted with gourmet cheese, refrozen, then coated in a chocolate sauce. Can be made with Gorgonzola, Goat, or Camembert cheese - or all three!

An interesting taste for an appetizer: a touch of sweetness inside buttery biscuits. Great for whetting the appetite.

Ingredients: Unsweetened cocoa powder, almonds, chocolate, vanilla, flour, sugar, egg yolk, salt.

By far one of the most interesting soups you can try - 4 parts chocolate to 1 part coconut milk, with sliced bananas and a homemade honey wafer floating on top.

Ingredients: Unsweetened cocoa powder, dark chocolate, unsweetened coconut milk, coconut syrup, sherry, butter, sugar, confectioner's sugar, honey, bananas, flour, egg whites.

A hearty and fulfilling soup for those cold winter months, prepared without any dairy products.

Ingredients: Sweet corn, potatoes, olive oil, sweet onions, garlic, carrots, celery, tomatoes, lettuce, basil, s/p.

The classic Southern recipe, served with a dollop of cream cheese and a plate of assorted vegetables. Eat them separately or try them together - many people prefer it that way.

Ingredients: Butter, buttermilk, cornmeal, salt, baking powder, cream cheese, assorted vegetables.

From France, a meat-lover's dream: lamb chops stuffed with ham and chicken, mixed with native truffles and served in a cream sauce. Not for the faint at heart!

Ingredients: Lamb chops, chicken breasts, ham, truffles, mushrooms, egg whites, bread crumbs, white wine, flour, nutmeg, butter, milk, s/p.

A rich, creamy, homemade version of the classic.

Ingredients: Mushrooms, vegetable stock, cream, leek, butter.

A thicker, heartier version of the sweetly alcoholic original.

Ingredients: Ice cream, rum, brown sugar, confectioner's sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter.

A surprisingly crisp and fresh salad, combining several green vegetables and herbs with a light cream sauce.

Ingredients: Cucumber, onion, chives, paprika, white vinegar, sour cream.

The classic French confection, served in this instance with sliced bananas and a homemade carmalized milk sauce.

A classic Italian recipe, bumped up with extra cheese and tomato sauce. You won't believe eggplant can taste so good.

Ingredients: Eggplants, olive oil, garlic, basic, tomatoes, flour, Parmesan cheese, Mozzarella cheese.