Pork

If hojiblanca or cacereña olives are unavailable, use other Mediterranean olives.

To begin, offer a bowl of brine-cured green and black olives, another of marinated artichoke hearts, and some pâté and toast. The cassoulet needs only red wine and a loaf of good French bread as accompaniments. A pear or apple tart would add an appropriate French country flourish.

Serve with: Mesclun salad with an herb vinaigrette and sliced semolina bread. Dessert: Vanilla ice cream sprinkled with crushed amaretti cookies (Italian macaroons) and drizzled with Kahlúa.

This recipe incorporates two popular foods from the Toi San region of southern China: One is the Chinese boneless barbecued pork strips known as cha siu, and the other is fresh rice noodles. The latter are sold in 1-pound packages, either as rumpled sheets that must be cut into strips or as precut 1/2-inch-wide strips.

Hoisin sauce — a combination of soybeans, garlic, chiles, and spices — lends a sweet-spicy flavor to this pork roast. Look for it at Asian markets and well-stocked supermarkets. What to drink: Uncork an Australian Merlot or a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

For a delicious, quick accompaniment try our Creamy Parmesan Polenta .

Oysters on the half shell with a cold sauce of vinegar, peppercorns and finely chopped lemongrass would be an elegant appetizer. Accompany the pork with the rice timbales , steamed snow peas and baby corn, and a dry Gewürztraminer. End with a salad of melon and pineapple with toasted coconut.

(COUNTRY TERRINE) My local butcher, Mr. Delasalle, wouldn't part with his terrine recipe, though he gave me plenty of hints. What follows is a recipe that closely replicates his.

The Lime Mojo (a sauce of olive oil, chilies, garlic and spices) provides a spicy, tangy counterpoint to the pork. Serve the Spiced Butternut Squash and the Corn and Cheese Arepas (see recipes) as side dishes, and pour a Zinfandel or dark beer. Begin preparing the pork a day ahead.

Fèves au Lard Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 4 1/2 hr

To make these slow-cooked ribs, the barbecue is used as a smoker. The instructions given here are for a standard 22 1/2-inch Weber kettle barbecue. Grilling times and vent adjustments will vary with different brands. The only special equipment needed is a charcoal chimney, which is available at most hardware or home-and-garden stores. Marinate the ribs a day ahead.

Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 1 hr

At Babbo in New York, chef Mario Batali serves this dish with freshly made pappardelle pasta. We've simplified the entrée for the home cook by substituting purchased fettuccine.

Redolent of garlic and saffron, these tiny meatballs are a sure hit at any tapas party.

Albóndigas con Salsa de Tomate y Chile de Serrano This is served with traditional Mexican White Rice .

Shake up some Margaritas (limeade for the kids) and slather grilled corn on the cob with cumin-seasoned butter. For dessert, top fudge brownies with coffee ice cream and Kahlúa.