Gourmet

Our food editors think beans cook more evenly and hold their shape better with a long soak — which is why the ones in this recipe are soaked for 6 hours. But, you can use the following quick-soak method if you prefer: In a saucepan cover beans with cold water by 2 inches. Bring water to a boil and boil beans 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat and soak beans 1 hour.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This dish was inspired by pain au chocolat, a chocolate-stuffed croissant that is adored by both children and adults in France. Cranberries have been added-perfect for a Christmas brunch.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Rajas is the Spanish word for "strips," and in the Mexican kitchen it generally refers to strips of chile. Active time: 1 1/4 hr Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 2 hr

It’s what the french call pain perdu, or "lost bread"—a dish that was created to revive day-old or stale baguettes. Here, hot and sweet, baked to a golden crisp, and dripping with syrup, you’ll find not a single thing is missing. Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 2 1/4 hr

It will take about 45 minutes to peel the pearl onions for this recipe. If you're strapped for time, you can substitute 1 1/2 pounds of thawed frozen pearl onions, which won't need to be blanched.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe was created to prepare Quebec Maple Sugar Pie and Spiced Pecan Pie. The amount of water necessary to make pastry dough is likely to change slightly from time to time, depending on variables such as humidity and the moisture content of butter and even, believe it or not, flour. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less, but requires additional unattended time.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.