Bean and Legume

Parmigiano-Reggiano enriches canned broth for a quick, hot, and truly delicious meal in a bowl.

A Chinese meal is incomplete without something leafy, and this dish features a wonderful green. The pleasant bite of gai lan, or Chinese broccoli, complements stir-fried shrimp beautifully; once you've tried it, you'll be eager to cook with it again.

A mix of pleasantly bitter and crisp-tender vegetables perfectly complements the Duck with Walnut Sherry Vinaigrette . Some of the nutty, sweet vinaigrette will inevitably end up on the vegetables, enhancing their flavor.

Originally introduced in our pages as "an ancient Provençal way of dressing up little green peas," this soup may not qualify as a true bouillabaisse (there is no seafood in sight), but it is comfort in a bowl. And since it uses frozen rather than fresh peas, it can be made at any time of year.

This bistro classic is enriched by rounds of smoky, spicy sausage. All you need is a leafy salad and a glass of red wine. The French green lentils that we prefer are prized for their finesse; they also hold their shape better than some other varieties and are less starchy.

Masala Dosas
With its fermented dough whirled into a crêpe-like exterior and its rich filling of curried potato, this classic Indian dish achieves a unique balance. The urad dal, black mustard seeds, and curry leaves are available at kalustyans.com.

If you're tired of serving the same old green bean dishes, here's a way to give them a South Indian spin. The coconut augments the sweetness of the beans and, along with the crunchy mustard seeds, lends texture as well.

This traditional recipe calls for pork confit, which you'll need to prepare at least two weeks before making the cassoulet. The confit adds undeniable richness and authenticity, but a simpler recipe (using country-style spareribs instead) appears in "Top Trends: The Hot Ten" in the January 2006 issue of Bon Appétit.

A fresh take on green bean casserole#151;lighter and simpler, yet full of flavor.

A coarse grating of pecorino cheese adds a little creaminess and tang to this dish, but it's equally delicious without it.

Make or buy a favorite pumpkin pie for dessert. What to drink: A fruit-forward Zinfandel or Malbec.

Both turkey meat and gravy are used in this vibrant soup. Pass grated Parmesan cheese alongside if you like.

Cholar Dal This dal, a sweet version served at festive occasions, is the best we've ever tasted.

Despite the fact that they require few ingredients and little effort, these beans always get raves.

These satisfying tarts may incite "vegetarian envy" in your meat-eating guests. The recipe makes 4 sizable main-course portions, but the tarts could be halved (or even quartered) to serve as a side dish. Either way, they are delicious with the roasted mushroom and barley gravy.

his delicious vegetarian soup is a take on the Persian dish ash-e reshteh.

We love the homey quality and clean flavors of this colorful soup.

This light starter can be prepared ahead of time and is a smart alternative to fussy holiday hors d'oeuvres. It has an unbelievably fresh flavor, even when made with frozen soybeans.

A few fresh vegetables and a leftover turkey is all you'll need to create this phenomenal soup — perfect for cold nights and holiday nostalgia.