Leafy Greens

For the best play between sweet, hot, and salty ingredients, look for spiky arugula, labeled "rocket" or "rucola," at the farmers' market. It's much more peppery and sturdy than what you’ll find at the supermarket.

Don't expect your first pasqualina to look perfect. But it will taste absolutely amazing if you remember three key steps: don't sweat the crust, squeeze every drop of liquid out of the greens, and save your chard stems!

Not that there’s anything wrong with coleslaw and sauerkraut, but cabbage has so much more potential.

This big batch of tender roasted kale can be kept in the fridge and added to meals throughout the week. Toss it into salads and stir-fries, stir it into soups, or use it in a grain bowl.

This dish is my mother's interpretation of a meal we had at a friend’s birthday party when we were young. We came home raving about it and had to try making it for ourselves!

Packed with the bright flavors of citrus and dill, this greens-and-grains dinner comes together fast. Peas and blistered cherry tomatoes add sweetness, while feta contributes salty tang.

A day-old loaf of good bread can reach new heights when it's thick-cut and pan-fried in olive oil. We top these giant croutons with steamed clams or mussels, sink them into brothy soups, and crumble them over big salads. But this dish, a saucy little mix of beans, greens, and garlic, gives us a reason to look forward to Meatless Monday.

The sweet, spicy, and tart flavors in this coconut-turmeric relish make it a perfect match with cauliflower.

Philosophical question: Is it still a wedge if it isn't smothered in blue cheese and bacon? It's debatable, but we do know that this is a healthyish wedge salad we'd happily eat every day. It's got the rich part—a creamy tahini dressing that's so thick it anchors the greens. It's got the crunchy stuff—seeds and coarse salt. And it's got freshness—actual lettuce and herbs. Iceberg who?

Larb will not only fill your belly, it will teach you how to balance sweet, sour, salty, spicy, funky, and umami flavors. Larb hails from Laos and gets its addictiveness from the way it stitches together ground meat and crunchy, juicy textures. When you get the balance right, this dish sings, each bite creating a craving for more.

Warm feta, crispy chickpeas, and wilted hearty greens become a fork-and-knife entrée in about 30 minutes.

The spicy garlic-honey glaze for the pan-seared pork chops also forms the base of the sauce for the warm escarole-and–white bean salad in this easy one-pan dinner.

Tossed with a miso and tahini dressing, this spring-evoking grain bowl can be topped with whatever seasonal produce looks irresistible at the market.

Pile roasted sweet potatoes, sautéed kale, black beans, and a sunny-side egg over grains for a healthful, filling grain bowl that'll power you through the day.

Enliven traditional chicken soup with fresh fennel and a dose of green kale. Dill-flecked matzo balls bring the classic to another level.

Chicken fat does triple duty to yield crisp skin, golden toast, and a schmaltzy dressing.

Springy ramen noodles and a cilantro-miso sauce bring a welcome twist to a classic pesto recipe.

Ribollita is like a heartier version of minestrone, thickened with bread and redolent with garlic. It is a beautiful soup when it’s fresh from the pot, but it is also perhaps the most noble of leftovers.

Corned beef is timeless and deserves a spot at the table, not just on St. Paddy’s Day. It is a crowd-pleaser that loves the low-and-slow ethos of the slow cooker, turning it tender without fail.