Dessert isn't simply magical, it's transportive. One bite brings bliss, and a bowlful is paradise found. So there's no need for an expensive getaway when paradise lies in desserts with tropical flavors.

Cook with hops

Who hasn't tucked into hotcakes or an omelet after dark? A savvy book editor and a pair of millennial food lovers joined forces to create "Breakfast for Dinner: Recipes for Frittata Florentine, Huevos Rancheros, Sunny-Side-Up Burgers, and More!" (Quirk Books; $19.95).

Valentine's Day has long been popular for popping open a bottle of champagne or sparkling wine. While red is the color associated with the day, pink is the choice to consider when selecting a bottle of sparkling wine.

As you're making new dishes, cook half and freeze the rest for cooking and enjoying later. These ready-made dishes tucked safely away in the freezer can become lifesavers during the weekday crunch and when hosting unexpected overnight guests

You won't need oodles of ingredients to cook the recipes in "Izakaya: Japanese Bar Food" (Hardie Grant, $19.95). These small plates of skewers, salads, sashimi and sweets require few ingredients, so they're a perfect introduction to Japanese tavern fare and a good invite to visit a nearby Asian market.

FAT TIMES AT HARVEST MOON

In 1985, a fledgling shop with Boston in its name skewered and roasted its birds in rotating rows, so they basted each other with seasoned drippings until firm flesh morphed into Sunday dinner succulence. Since then, Americans have made takeout rotisserie chicken as much of a weeknight staple as a box of macaroni in the cupboard.

We've all faced a picky eater moment. Fortunately, Amanda Haas, Williams- Sonoma's test kitchen manager and creator of the One Family, One Meal blog, has three tips.

Nothing caps off an evening celebrating or studying like a midnight snack — or a 2 a.m. snack, as the case might be. And if you're an early-to-bed type, these egg-based dishes would taste just as good for brunch.

Jan. 23 marks National Pie Day, and Crisco's Pie Hotline is live to answer common pie-baking questions.

Buttermilk improves the taste and texture of baked goods by adding moisture and tangy richness without a lot of fat.

Hot pumpkin toddy. Hot buttered rum. Mulled wine. Are you feeling toasty already? It's the season for warming up inside with hot drinks.

The key to losing weight isn't to deprive yourself until you hallucinate about pastries. Your best bet is to add certain foods to your diet. Turns out, eating high-protein meals and snacks could help you lose weight.

No need to throw away that day-old rice. Heat up that wok or sauté pan, grab whatever sounds good from the fridge, and you're on the way to making some tasty fried rice.