Leek

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A lovely side dish with big flavors‑and only a single teaspoon of oil.

The creamy soup would be great with large sesame-coated breadsticks and a spinach salad with marinated mushrooms. Baked apples and oatmeal-raisin cookies are nice after. This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This meatless salad combines couscous with roasted eggplant, zucchini, red bell pepper and leeks. Cooked sausage may be added to make it heartier. Serve with rolls or baguette slices and iced tea or white wine.

This impressive stuffing gets its Yankee accent from apples and dried cranberries.

Serve this flavorful saffron-scented dish as either an appetizer or a main course.

Barley gives this a wonderful chewy texture.

Here's a party main dish that is easy to prepare and makes a lovely presentation.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. The fennel is the special flavor in this soup.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Begin with endive spears dressed with oil and vinegar. Orzo pilaf with cherry tomatoes is a nice accompaniment. For dessert, have rhubarb compote with crème fraîche.

If you can't find pancetta, you can substitute regular bacon.

"I love going to Peter Schott's here in Boise for special occasions," writes Tracie Merrell of Boise, Idaho. "The restaurant is elegant but relaxed, and the food is memorable, especially the mushroom soup with Brie croutons." Freezing the Brie firms it, so removing the rind and slicing the cheese are much easier.

Cavolo Arricciato e Sformato Di Porri Although cavolo nero (a.k.a. Tuscan kale, lacinato kale, or dinosaur kale) is what Roman cooks would likely use for this flan, the dish works well with other kale varieties, too.