15 jewel recipes

Tender cream cheese cookies studded with coconut and apricot preserves for jewel-like drops that bake up golden and soft.

Florentine triangle cookies with a buttery shortbread crust, candied cherry and pineapple topping with almonds, and a semi-sweet chocolate drizzle. A stunning holiday cookie.

A vibrant, tangy red currant jelly perfect for spreading on toast, pairing with meats, or gifting. This clear, jewel-like preserve is made by simmering fresh red currants with lemon and cloves, then straining and sweetening the juice to create a smooth, set jelly.

Pickled sweet green tomatoes turn end-of-season fruit into spiced jewel-toned slices. Brown sugar, vinegar, and a spice bag of mustard seed, allspice, celery seed, and cloves give them a sweet-tart bite for canning.

Mediterranean salad of torn lettuce and spinach chiffonade, sprinkled with toasted pine nuts, jewel-like pomegranate seeds and a simple olive oil lemon dressing. Ready in 15 minutes.

Jellied beet borscht molded with shredded beets, cabbage, cucumber, fresh dill, and horseradish in a tangy beef gelatin. A cold, jewel-toned Eastern European classic.

Old-fashioned raspberry fruit jellies, homemade candy made from fresh fruit juice boiled with sugar, set with gelatine and rolled in fine sugar. Soft, jewel-bright squares with a real fruit tang.

Barbecued pork ribs with currant glaze rubs ribs in ginger, coriander, and paprika, then bastes them with a sweet-tart red currant, orange juice, and Dijon mustard glaze in the final 15 minutes. Glossy ruby-jeweled finish.

Kythoni peltes is a traditional Greek quince jelly scented with rose geranium leaves and lemon juice. A slow, old-world preserve that turns jewel-pink as it sets.

Molded borsch with diced beets set in a jewel-toned consomme gelatin ring, served cold with sour cream. A retro chilled appetizer that looks as stunning as it tastes.

Crisp mixed greens topped with sweet mandarin oranges, jewel-toned raspberries, and toasted almonds, all tossed in a bright citrus vinaigrette. A light, vibrant side salad ready in 10 minutes.

A tangy, jewel-toned tomato aspic loaded with crunchy celery, green peppers, and green beans. This vintage molded salad brings old-school Southern charm to any potluck or holiday spread.

Ring in the New Year with this sparkling champagne pomegranate punch spiked with citrus vodka. Jewel-toned, fizzy, and ready in under 5 minutes. Just stir, pour over ice, and toast.

Pomegranate and blood orange mimosas mix tart blood orange juice with ruby pomegranate, then top each flute with chilled sparkling wine. A jewel-toned New Year's Eve toast that takes minutes to pour.

A jewel-red Christmas borscht simmered with beets, garlic, bay leaf, and lemon juice, then topped with cool sour cream and fresh dill. Light, earthy, and ready in 45 minutes for your holiday table.