Santa Maria

A sainted way to drink tequila. (By Duggan McDonnell)

Black Maria

Brandy, rum, and coffee combine to create a dark treat. (By Rob Chirico)

Extra-Spicy Bloody Maria

The Bloody Mary gone picante. (By Kate Ramos)

Drunken Affogato (Ice Cream Shots)

Ice cream float shots: the best of both worlds. (By Aida Mollenkamp)

Roasted Fish with Thai Pesto

Whole fish stuffed with an Asian-influenced sauce. (By Aida Mollenkamp)

Borscht

Beet and meat pair up for borscht goodness. (By Kate Ramos)

Turkey Posole a la Guerita

A delicious posole in minutes, white-girl style. (By Kate Ramos)

Mongolian Beef Kebabs with Chile Jam

Skewered meat doused in a nicely spicy sauce. (By Richard Crocker, Richard Crocker Catering, San Francisco)

Sesame Shrimp with Cilantro-Lime Sauce

A quick appetizer or hors d’oeuvre with a bit of heat. (By V. Jaime Hamlin, V. Jaime Hamlin and Sons Catering & Party Design, Martha’s Vineyard)

Pot Roast with Porcini and Beer

Richly sauced with mushrooms, herbs, Dijon mustard, and beer. (By Roy Finamore)

Rich yeast dough filled with cinnamon-sugar, pecans, and currants creates a pastry that looks like a schnecken, or snail. (By Marcie Cohen Ferris)

The tomato-y favorite is evolving to include such ingredients as garlic and basil. (By Rob Chirico)

Tuna Can Cheese Biscuits (By JoshO )

Burmese Fish Curry in 15 minutes (Si Byan) by saffron59 catering (By ikhin )

Colonel Tex’s 2009 * TABASCO Buffalo Wing Sause & Baste (By louisbernhardt )