Is it I, or do people always serve pretty peculiar creations around the dark days of winter?

I'll try anything put before me. I guess it's my upbringing in general, but if someone took the time to make it, I'll try it. And, if asked, give my honest opinion to boot.

Every year though, there's always the conundrum. I'll put something in my mouth that just makes me cringe and, because I'm stupid, I'll go back and get another one hoping for a different result.

Every year something new creeps onto the buffet table.

This year's winner was my Mom's neighbor, Francine in Ft. Myers, Florida, who proudly put out a tray of "French Cocktail Prunes." (She could have just feigned sickness and asked us to leave.) These were normal prunes, stuffed with (and I kid you not as I have witnesses) smoked oysters, anchovies, bacon, artichokes hearts and onions. At least that's all I could make out with my stupefied palette.

Francine is a nice 80-year young lady, who claims proudly this is her family's 50-year secret, "I'll die before I tell you the recipe," she claimed. The thought of "whacking" her myself just to end the noxious cycle entered my mind.

I find that people, for the most part, put out their finest fare during the silly season that is winter. However, some might use social gatherings as a chance to accentuate with heirloom, miscellaneous oddities.

It is specifically in the appetizer department that people have time-honored, coveted recipes that have been tweaked to their (and our) liking. I think we all have a few of our favorites in the form of gently worn recipes turned yellow over time with disappearing ink notes. These are the gems I yearn for…

[Recipes included for: Honey Figs with Pecan Crusted Goat Cheese, Caramelized Pear, Leek and Brie Tart, and Pepper's Crabbies]