Corn

The heartland is known for its grains and its pork; this first course features two of the region's best products—corn and bacon.

Time: About 30 minutes Level: Beginner This is the thin version of the Rhode Island staple that some still eat as an accompaniment to breakfast, lunch and dinner. These are wonderful plain with salt right off the griddle but can be gussied up however you like, although many Rhode Islanders cringe at the thought of a maple syrup glaze. Recipe Synopsis: Mix the batter and fry on a well-greased griddle.

Mary Risley, director of Tante Marie's cooking school, says, "I dreamed up this recipe years ago when I was trying to cook Thanksgiving dinner on a four-burner stove with only one oven. And I've found that this is really the only vegetable needed to go with the turkey and mashed potatoes. It has the creamed onions everyone wants, it has the corn the Pilgrims must have eaten, and it has the fresh vegetables my Northern California friends and family have come to expect."

The poblano chilies can be prepared one day ahead, and the vegetables can be chopped and sliced one day ahead and then refrigerated separately in resealable plastic bags. Then the whole dish just requires a few minutes of cooking time before serving.

If you prep all the ingredients ahead of time, this dish takes only minutes to cook.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

Traditionally, the tortillas are fried in oil until soft. We've omitted the oil by wrapping the tortillas in damp paper towels and heating them in the microwave. Serve the enchiladas with the Ranch Beans and Mexican rice with tomatoes and onions.

A Dijon mustard vinaigrette brings all the flavors together. If you can't find basmati rice, white long-grain rice is fine.

This pie is made from the overflowing bounty of the backyard garden. Fresh corn and zucchini seasoned with dill bake underneath Parmesan-crusted tomatoes to make a scrumptious entrée that can be served warm or at room temperature.

The vegetables can be prepared ahead and finished up to the middle of step 3. Heat for 5 minutes before serving.