Cardamom

This chai is definitively ginger-forward. Feel free to add a little more maple syrup if you like it on the sweeter side. This is part of BA's Best, a collection of our essential recipes.

Strawberries and cream…and cardamom. The cooling spice and cucumbers give berries an element of intrigue.

A thousand might be an exaggeration, but this complex fruit syrup can be used countless ways. Add to spritzes, drizzle over fruit salads, mix into yogurt, or spoon onto grapefruit halves (just to name a few).

Dip strawberries into the creamy thing first, then the crunchy one.

Customize this chai recipe blend by adding a crushed cinnamon stick or big pinch of grated fresh ginger to the first step.

Want even more truffles? Right this way, please.

This bracing drink comes from Fuglen. If using apple cider, choose one that's all apples with no added spices.

Warm spices without the sweetness work on biscuits and rolls, mashed potatoes or green beans.

For the sweetest new year, serve this sparkly cocktail featuring classic Rosh Hashanah flavors: apple and honey.

Scoring the plums helps the poaching liquid infuse the fruit all the way to the pit.

Part of what gives this cake its light texture is beating the butter and sugar well, so don't rush this step.

Rice flour gives these cookies a very fine texture, an also results in a gluten-free dessert. Letting the dough rest allows the flour to absorb moisture, making it less crumbly and easier to handle.

Traditional Thanksgiving flavors (winter squash, cinnamon, butter) are given a beautiful Persian accent. The exotic spiced butter is also a treat mixed into couscous.

If you manage to have any leftovers, this moist spice cake makes a nice afternoon treat with a cup of tea. For an extra-tart garnish, serve with Citrus-Cranberry Compote (click for recipe).