Fig

Cacao nibs are unprocessed bits of the cacao pod. They are intensely flavored, not at all sweet, and give a wonderful depth and crunch to meals. Try blending them into smoothies, or use them to top a long-braised stew.

Taste a fig first to see how sweet it is... and thus how much honey you want to add.

Why shell out $5 when you can make energy bars at home? Packed with tons of flavor and punch, this DIY super snack will power you throughout the day. The dried prunes in this recipe give the bars a chewy consistency with the ground pistachios function as both a nutrient-rich building block that lends structure and  as a textural element that conveniently contains good fats and proteins to keep you satisfied. Pro tip: Rinse your hands under cool water or give them a quick shot of non-stick spray..…

When making this roast duck recipe, don't forget to save all that precious rendered duck fat.

Quince is like a special giant fuzzy apple, worth taking advantage of when in season.

Warm spices and sweet dried fruit are a perfect pair for rich turkey meat.

Some great things are made with day-old bread: French toast. Croutons. Breadcrumbs. Add this nutty and sugary French pastry from Maurice to the list.

Warming the honey with rose water infuses it with flavor.

Poach the figs in Calvados until just softened: Overcooking or intense boiling will render them a tough instead of lush addition to this chocolate torte.

Paper-thin crepes aren’t so fussy. “They’re almost simpler than pancakes,” says pastry chef Megan Garrelts of Rye in Leawood, Kansas.