What the L.A. Times Test Kitchen cooked up in 2011

Braised sea bass with black olive vinaigrette Total time: 30 minutes Servings: 4 Black olive vinaigrette Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Flaky scones are great for breakfast or a snack.

Strawberry shortcake Total time: 20 minutes Servings: 16 skewers Note: Adapted from “On a Stick!”

Pinchos de gambas Total time: 20 minutes, plus marinating and soaking time Servings: 8 skewers Note: Adapted from “On a Stick!”

Panzanella with sherry vinaigrette Total time: 30 minutes Servings: 12 skewers Note: Adapted from “On a Stick!”

Cocktail cubes Total time: 10 minutes, plus freezing time Servings: 20 skewers Note: Adapted from “On a Stick!”

“Cemitas, a popular treat from Puebla, are my favorite sandwich and this burger takes them to a whole new level.

“When I was growing up, my father was a true grill man, [and he] would probably not been caught making wimpy sliders.

“I love burgers but have tried to eat less beef so I’ve been working to perfect a healthier turkey burger that packs a lot of flavor.

“My German Cuban Pork Burger is THE BIGGEST BADDEST burger out there because it’s not your regular lame everyday burger.

“To me, this is one of the best burgers ever because it showcases the essence of American food and culture.

Dear SOS: I just got home from our neighborhood restaurant, Cayenne Cafe, on Beverly Boulevard.

White lotus dumplings Total time: 1½ hours, plus chilling time Servings: Makes about 3 dozen dumplings Note: Snow pea leaves can be found at select Asian markets.

Vegan ‘clam’ chowder Total time: 1 hour, 35 minutes, plus overnight soaking time for the cashews Servings: 12 Note: This recipe calls for a commercial stove-top smoker; a heavy-duty roasting pan with a rack and lid can be substituted.

Carrot cake Total time: 2 hours, plus cooling and chilling times Servings: 9 to 12 Note: Adapted from a recipe by pastry chef Kimberly Valdez of SW Steakhouse at Wynn in Las Vegas.

Aunt Mary’s yalanchi (stuffed grape leaves) Total time: 2 hours, plus cooling time Servings: About 5 dozen yalanchi Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Carne asada Total time: 20 minutes, plus marinating time Servings: 6 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Aunt Mary’s pilaf with topping Total time: 35 minutes Servings: 4 to 6 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Recipe: Jocoque dip Total time: 10 minutes Servings: 8 to 10 Note: Jocoque is a dairy product similar to sour cream and is available at select Mexican markets; call ahead to ensure availability.

Dear SOS: Have you tried the roasted veggie burger at Upper West in Santa Monica?

Dear SOS: Had an amazing goat milk flan at Border Grill downtown.

Crisp-skinned salmon with lentils, bacon and dandelion greens Total time: 1 hour, 35 minutes Servings: 6 to 8 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Oven-steamed salmon with dill mayonnaise Total time: 40 minutes Servings: 6 to 8 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Carrots with honey, lemon zest and thyme Total time: 35 minutes Servings: 4 Note: Adapted from “A Year in My Kitchen” by Skye Gyngell Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Spicy Moroccan carrot salad Total time: 45 minutes, plus cooling time Servings: 4 Note: Adapted from “Plenty” by Yotam Ottolenghi.

Spinach soup with nutmeg and crème fraîche Total time: 30 minutes Servings: 4 Note: Adapted from “A Year in My Kitchen” by Skye Gyngell Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Green pancakes with lime butter Total time: 45 minutes, plus chilling time for the butter Servings: 4 Note: Adapted from “Plenty” by Yotam Ottolenghi.

Perfect for chocolate lovers.

Goat cheese and basil-stuffed filo parcels Total time: 40 minutes Servings: About 1½ dozen Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Semolina-filled puff pastry purses Total time: 1 hour Servings: About 2 to 2½ dozen purses Note: Puff pastry sheet sizes vary by brand.

Herb-marinated feta cheese with za’tar-toasted pita triangles Total time: 30 minutes Servings: 4 to 6 as an appetizer Note: Za’tar is a Middle Eastern spice blend commonly consisting of thyme, toasted sesame seeds, marjoram and sumac.

Spinach- and ricotta-stuffed challah Total time: 1 hour, 20 minutes, plus rising time for the dough Servings: Makes 2 loaves, 8 to 10 slices each Spinach and ricotta filling Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Nancy’s basic focaccia dough Total time: 3½ hours, plus 12 to 24 hours resting time for the sponge Servings: Makes 2 (10-inch) focaccia dough rounds Note: This recipe requires the use of a stand mixer, 2 (10- by 2-inch) round cake pans and a digital kitchen scale.

Roasted pepper and chile focaccia Total time: 2 hours, 10 minutes, plus cooling time Serves: Makes 1 focaccia; each focaccia yields 8 slices.

Olive and rosemary focaccia Total time: 1½ hours, plus cooling time Serves: Makes 1 focaccia; each focaccia yields 8 slices.

Onion and sage focaccia Total time: 1½ hours, plus cooling time Serves: Makes 1 focaccia; each focaccia yields 8 slices Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of chef Nancy Silverton’s recipes for the L.A.

Dip some bread into this cheesy delight from the Coatesville, Pa., restaurant.

Recipe: Spicy stir-fried squid (Ohjing-uh bokkeum)

Tofu with kimchi (Dubu kimchi) Total time: 40 minutes Servings: 4 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Recipe: Korean fried chicken (Yangnyeom dak)

Crème brûlée Total time: 2 hours, plus cooling and chilling times Servings: 6 Note: This recipe requires 6 (7-ounce) ramekins.

Soufflé-like rise makes sticks crisp on the outside and soft in the middle.

Grilled romaine with radishes, hard-boiled eggs and toasted bread crumbs Total time: 45 minutes Servings: 6 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Swiss chard with golden raisins and lemon bread crumbs Total time: 50 minutes Servings: 4 as main course, 6 as side dish Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Spaghetti with arugula and garlic bread crumbs Total time: 30 minutes Servings: 6 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

S’more cupcakes Total time: 1 hour, 20 minutes Servings: Makes 20 cupcakes Note: Graham flour, the coarsely ground whole-wheat flour traditionally used in graham crackers, is available at Whole Foods.

Brûléed strawberries and cream Total time: 20 minutes Servings: 4 to 6 Note: This recipe was inspired by one from Scottish chef Jeremy Lee.

Skirt steak carpaccio with raw asparagus and fava salad Total time: 40 minutes Servings: 4 Note: Adapted from Travis Lett of Gjelina.

Grilled Russian kale with yogurt dressing and toasted hazelnuts Total time: 25 minutes Servings: 4 Note: Adapted from Travis Lett of Gjelina.

Total time: 40 minutes (plus 1 month if making homemade preserved lemons) Servings: 4 Note: Adapted from Travis Lett of Gjelina.

Butterscotch pot de crème Total time: 1 hour, plus cooling time Servings: 10 Note: Adapted from Travis Lett of Gjelina.

Dear SOS: An all-time favorite of my entire family is Massaman curry (with chicken) from Cholada Thai in Thousand Oaks.

Fresh asparagus with hazelnuts and seasoned currants Total time: 40 minutes Servings: 6 to 8 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Chocolate pecan brownie fudge cake Total time: 50 minutes, plus cooling time Servings: 8 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

The recipe is adapted from a dish served at Nani’s Cucina Italiana in Jackson Hole, Wyo.

Walnut- and herb-stuffed eggplant rolls Total time: 1 hour Servings: Makes 18 rolls Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Roasted chicken thighs with spinach, basil, pistachio and avocado oil pesto Total time: 1 hour, plus marinating time Servings: 6 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Danish rye bread Total time: 2 hours, plus overnight rising and cooling times Servings: 2 loaves (about 3 dozen slices) Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Norwegian orange cake Total time: 1 hour, 15 minutes plus cooling time Servings: 10 to 16 Note: Candied orange peel is generally available at gourmet and cooking supply stores, as well as at select well-stocked markets.

Egg salad Total time: 10 minutes Servings: 4 to 6 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Caraway crosses Total time: 50 minutes, plus rising times Servings: About 2 dozen rolls Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Total time: 1½ hours plus cooling time for the cake Servings: 12 to 16 Note: This recipe calls for a 10-inch angel food cake pan (preferably a pan with a removable insert).

Total time: 1½ hours plus cooling time for the cake Servings: 12 to 16 Note: This recipe calls for a 10-inch angel food cake pan (preferably a pan with a removable insert).

Chocolate chiffon cake with chocolate glaze Total time: 1 hour, 45 minutes plus cooling time for the cake Servings: 12 to 16 Note: This recipe calls for a 10-inch angel food cake pan (preferably a pan with a removable insert).

Pandan chiffon cake with coconut glaze Total time: 1½ hours plus cooling time for the cake Servings: 12 to 16 Note: Pandan leaves and essence can generally be found at Thai and select Southeast Asian markets.

Dear SOS: At the recently opened Brendan’s Irish Pub here in Camarillo, along with the bread plate they serve a tasty condiment that the waitress described as an apricot, whiskey, onion jam.

This fresh salad served at Little Dom’s restaurant in Los Angeles has crisp, assertive notes.

Leg of lamb stuffed with greens, feta and pine nuts Total time: 3 hours, plus resting time Servings: Serves 6 to 8 Note: The lamb can be prepared through step 4 (stuffed and tied) the day before; refrigerate it in a tightly sealed plastic bag; remove the lamb from the refrigerator so it can come to room temperature before roasting.

NOTE: Master Class columns are intended for ambitious home cooks, and some of the recipes may call for special ingredients or equipment.

NOTE: Master Class columns are intended for ambitious home cooks, and some of the recipes may call for special ingredients or equipment.

NOTE: Master Class columns are intended for ambitious home cooks, and some of the recipes may call for special ingredients or equipment.

NOTE: Master Class columns are intended for ambitious home cooks, and some of the recipes may call for special ingredients or equipment.

NOTE: Master Class columns are intended for ambitious home cooks, and some of the recipes may call for special ingredients or equipment.

Huitlacoche quesadillas Total time: 25 minutes Servings: 4 Note: Huitlacoche can be found at select Latin markets; call ahead to make sure.

Mexican lasagna Total time: 1 hour, 20 minutes Servings: 8 to 12 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

These brown-sugary squares are a perfect treat any time of the day or night. Now, who’s got the milk?

Zetas with garlic and Pasilla chiles Total time: 20 minutes Servings: 4 to 6 Note: Pasilla chiles are available in Latin markets as well as the Latin section of many well-stocked grocery stores.

Dear SOS: We love to order the “Famous White Sangria” at the LGO Café in Pasadena at La Grande Orange Café.

Broiled eggplant salad with sautéed onions, garlic and tomatoes Total time: 1 1/4 hours Servings: 4 Note: This delicious appetizer might be called a salad, spread or dip.

Creamy scrambled eggs with fines herbes Total time: 25 minutes Servings: 2 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Asparagus with bread crumb-fried eggs Total time: 25 minutes Servings: 2 Note: This is based on a recipe from Judy Rodgers’ “The Zuni Café Cookbook.”

Fresh berry tart Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.

Savory mushroom turnovers Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.

Vol-au-vents with pea shoots and herbed goat cheese Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.

This recipe for steamed mussels is from a Napa Valley restaurant.

Dear Culinary SOS: My son and I enjoyed a delightful take on lasagna at the Westwood Palomino in early December.

Quick puff pastry Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.

Whole-wheat pancakes Total time: 25 minutes Servings: Makes 6 pancakes Note: Hard red wheat berries can be found at select well-stocked markets and health food stores.

Hamantaschen with poppyseed filling Total time: 6 1/2 hours; much of it is chilling time Servings: This makes about 3 dozen hamantaschen Note: You can buy poppyseeds in bulk at kosher, Eastern European and Middle Eastern markets.

Chickpea and noodle soup with Persian herbs Total time: 3 1/2 hours Servings: 4 Note: Kashk, a flavorful Persian yogurt-like dairy product, is widely available at Middle Eastern markets and can be substituted with labneh (strained yogurt).

Creamy rice pudding with cardamom and almonds Total time: 1 hour and 10 minutes Servings: 4 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.

Roasted buckwheat polenta with sage cream sauce recipe

Wheat-free muffins Total time: 45 minutes Servings: Makes 10 muffins Note: Adapted from “Sunlight Café” by Mollie Katzen.

Ragout of spring vegetables Total time: 45 minutes Servings: 6 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.

Spring vegetables baked in parchment Total time: 1 hour, 25 minutes Servings: 4 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.

Meal-in-a-pot (Puchero) Total time: 1 hour, 50 minutes Servings: 4, plus additional broth Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.

Andalusian stew (Berza Andaluza) Total time: 2 hours Servings: 6 Note: Morcilla (Spanish blood sausage), particularly onion morcilla, adds a spicy flavor to this stew.

Chickpea puree with crisp croutons (Crema de garbanzos con pan frito) Total time: 1 hour Servings: 6 Note: Use 1 cup dry chickpeas to make 2¾ cups cooked.

Chickpea salad with chorizo (Garbanzos aliñados con chorizo) Total time: 10 minutes, plus marinating time Servings: 6 tapas or 4 salad servings Note: Start this recipe a day or two before serving, as you’ll need to allow time to soak the chickpeas before cooking, then to marinate them in the oil and lemon dressing.

Homemade pop tarts Total time: 2 hours Servings: 8 pop tarts Note: The pie dough also makes enough dough for 1 double-crust or 2 single-crust pies.

Fragipane filling for pop tarts Total time: 5 minutes Servings: Makes about 1 cup, or enough for 8 pop tarts Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.

Baby artichoke gratin Total time: 50 minutes Servings: 8 to 10 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.

Fresh fruit gratin Total time: 25 minutes Servings: 4 Note: Amaretti are Italian almond macaroon-like cookies and can be found in well-stocked markets and specialty cooking stores.

Italian sausage and kale gratin Total time: 1 hour, 15 minutes Servings: 6 to 8 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.

Cioppino Total time: 2 hours Servings: 8 to 10 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Spiced mushroom borscht Total time: 2 hours Servings: 12 Note: This recipe requires cheesecloth and butchers twine to make a sachet.

Roasted cranberry borscht Total time: 2 hours Servings: 8 to 12 Note: Garnish the soup with sour cream stirred with a little prepared horseradish (adjust the amount of horseradish to taste).

Polish white borscht Total time: 2 hours Servings: 12 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try this or any other recipe from the L.A.

Ukrainian borscht with caraway dumplings Total time: 3 hours Servings: 12 Note: Garnish each serving of the soup with a little sour cream and a sprinkling of dill.

Greek walnut cake Total time: About 1 hour Servings: 12 to 16 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.

Perfect pecan pie Total time: About 1 hour Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.

Dear Noelle: My husband and I love the mushroom barley soup at Junior’s Deli in West L.A.

Focaccia is used for croutons in this recipe from PizzaVino in Sebastopol, Calif.

Hello, Noelle. I live in the Inland Empire, and I love this restaurant in Loma Linda called Napoli.

Dear Culinary SOS: On our trip to the Russian River earlier this month, we had a lot of amazing food.

Dear SOS: We recently had the most delicious Mac and Cheese at the Bistro in the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Bakersfield.

Dear SOS: Help! The apple butter cake at Huckleberry is the most delicious thing I have ever eaten.

The curried slaw at Napa’s Mustards Grill restaurant is a simple recipe that pops with bold flavors.

A rich, hearty chili comes from Coast at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica.

Black Russian rye bread Total time: 1 1/2 hours, plus rising and cooling times Servings: Makes 2 loaves (about 16 servings) Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.

German-style many-seed bread Total time: 1 1/2 hours, plus rising and cooling times Servings: Makes 1 loaf (about 12 servings) Note: Adapted from “Peter Reinhart’s Whole Grain Breads: New Techniques, Extraordinary Flavor” by Peter Reinhart.

Five-grain bread Total time: 1 hour, 15 minutes plus rising times Servings: Makes 3 medium loaves Note: Adapted from “Bread: A Baker’s Book of Techniques and Recipes” by Jeffrey Hamelman.

Real Jewish rye bread Total time: 1 hour, 10 minutes, plus rising and cooling times Servings: Makes 1 round loaf (8 to 12 servings) Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.

The hearty vegetarian soup is from a cafe in Dublin, Ireland.

Mexican hot chocolate Total time: 15 minutes Servings: 4 to 6 Note: Mexican chocolate can be found in the Latin section of most grocery stores.

Rosca de reyes (Kings’ cake) Total time: 1 1/2 hours, plus rising times Servings: 24 (Makes 2 cakes) Note: Orange flower (or orange blossom) water can be found at select well-stocked markets, as well as at cooking and baking supply stores and select Latin and Middle Eastern markets.

Green enchiladas in the oven Total time: About 1 hour Servings: 6 Note: Enchiladas are always better if made individually and served immediately.

Dear SOS: I love the chicken salad from Lunch in Culver City.

Focaccia from Genoa Total time: 1 hour, 15 minutes, plus rising times Servings: Makes 1 loaf, 10 to 12 servings Note: Adapted from “Focaccia” by Carol Field.

Baked French toast Total time: 11/2 hours, plus overnight soaking Servings: 10 to 12 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.

Classic French toast Total time: 25 minutes Servings: 4 Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.

Savory stuffed French toast Total time: 50 minutes Servings: 2 to 4 Note: The sandwiches are great served alongside a light, tart salad or bowl of soup.

Recipe for Koreatown Cuban restaurant El Colmao’s special chicken dish.

Gorgonzola focaccia Total time: 1 hour, plus overnight rising and proofing times Servings: Makes 1 loaf, 10 to 12 servings Note: Adapted from “American Pie” by Peter Reinhart.

Tu Bishvat challah kugel with dried cherries and almonds Total time: 2 hours Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.

Chocolate apricot balls Total time: 45 minutes, plus steeping and chilling times Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.

Fruity butter cake with dried figs, raisins and walnuts Total time: 2 hours Our recipes, your kitchen: If you try any of the L.A.