Utterly Butterly Delicious -- Nut Butters are as versatile as they're delicious! If you've just been spreading them on toast, try blending a generous dollop into soups and sauces for a rich, creamy texture and mellow flavor. Or add some to cookie and cake mixtures for a readymade nutty taste. Blend some into basil or cilantro pesto or whisk a small quantity into your favorite salad dressing. Yummy! There are a number of varieties available at gourmet markets -- hazelnut, almond, cashew and pistachio, to name just a few. For the more adventurous, health food stores offer combinations of nuts and herbs that come with health benefits to boot.

Have You Ever Tasted a Rose? Don't relegate the universal symbol of love to Valentine's Day or the warm days of summer! Rose petal jam and rose water offer myriad ways you can enjoy the divine flavor and the exquisite aroma of the world's favorite flower all year round. Elevate the everyday rice pudding into a dessert fit for the gods by mixing in a little rose water. Rose petal jam cookies coated with powdered sugar make elegant, exotic tea-time treats. Just add a few spoonfuls to your cookie dough and mix well. If you enjoy a soothing drink before bed, try a cup of warm milk blended with a spoonful of rose petal jam. Not only does it taste delicious, it will help you sleep well too! Rose petal jam and rose water are available at specialty grocers; look for food grade rose water.

Energy Boosters for Breakfast -- If you have lots of guests and you'd rather be having fun with them than cooking breakfast for everyone, try these hearty nut-and fruit milkshakes. Blend together nuts, spices, fruit and milk, and serve warm or cool -- it's that simple! To make the shakes richer, try a 2/3-1/3 milk and cream combination. Tip: Blend the nuts in a small quantity of milk to a smooth paste, then blend in other ingredients. Some of our favorite combinations -- cashew, banana and cardamom; hazelnut, banana and vanilla; pistachio and mint; almond and cinnamon; and almond, strawberry and vanilla. Kids love these milkshakes, you'll get a much-needed energy boost on hectic mornings.

Ghee-licious - Fond of the taste of butter? Try Ghee! Ghee is nothing but clarified butter, the butter oil with the milk solids removed. Used widely in India, Ghee has a delicious buttery aroma and flavor, but it's ideal for cooking because it can be heated to high temperatures without burning. Use Ghee to deep-fry, bake or sauté foods and spices. The flavor is concentrated, so you can use half as much as other cooking oils, and because it contains no hydrogenated oils or transfatty acids, Ghee is a healthy alternative to margarine. With Ghee, you can turn every meal into a royal feast for your senses!

Harvest the Bounty -- Ginger chutney -- shaved ginger, sugar and lemon cooked together -- can be combined with pureed fruit for a piquant dip. Sauteed sliced tart apples, julienned ginger, brown sugar and cinnamon in Ghee and swirl in lemon zest for a sweet-and-sour side dish. Add a couple of tablespoons of ginger chutney to your apple or pumpkin mixture for pies. Ginger not only adds zip to your meals, it's a natural aid to digestion.

Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice -- And, talking of chutneys, have you looked at the exotic blends of fruit and herbs and spices available at specialty food stores and gourmet markets? Tart and spicy and sweet all at once, chutneys and salsas add flair to any meal. Originally from India, which boasts more kinds of chutneys than there are regions in the country, chutneys are fast becoming popular worldwide. And deservedly so, because they're hard to beat for quick bursts of flavor! Serve chutneys with pancakes for breakfast or as a dip with hors d'oeuvres at a festive dinner. Whichever way you choose to serve them, your guests are sure to say Wow!

Spice(s) of Life -- Be adventurous with spices and cook up a storm of flavors! Cumin, coriander, anise, fennel, nutmeg, paprika - the very names can make your mouth water. Spices are not only flavorful taste enhancers, many of them are therapeutic as well. If you haven't cooked with multiple spices before, try pre-blended spice mixtures available at gourmet markets. Many of them come with recipes or suggestions for use. As you get comfortable with a variety of tastes and aromas, you'll want to experiment with new combinations of your own.