Leafy Greens

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Transforming cabbage into sauerkraut was one way the Germans preserved summer's crop for the hard winter ahead. A combination of rinsing the kraut of its salty brine and baking it with dried fruit mellows its bite. Smoked pork chops can be substituted; just omit the browning step. Offer some dark and light German beers to drink.

If you can't find Yukon Gold potatoes, use russets instead.

Roasted garlic produces a rich dressing using very little oil.

With the endive leaves arranged in concentric circles on the platter, this is an especially attractive addition to the buffet table.

Favorite Danish ingredients get dressed up in pretty packages for the holidays. Complete the side dish offerings with some oven-roasted potatoes topped with butter and lightly sprinkled with caraway.

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

Serve steamed new potatoes and a stir-fry of vegetables with this entrée to round out the meal.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Eating your spinach (and radicchio) has never been more pleasant.

In this recipe we call for a 3- by 1 1/2-inch stainless-steel pastry ring. It is available at some specialty cookware shops.

A lightened version of a first course that traditionally precedes choucroute garnie.

Vinegar adds some pleasant zip to this side dish, which gets its richness from the sautéed bacon and onions. Serve the kale with roast pork or chicken.

Pressing excess moisture out of your tofu will increase its firmness and its ability to absorb the flavors of the marinade.

Pretty, sophisticated, and easy to eat.

A young sheep's-milk cheese such as Italy's ricotta salata or pecorino Romano (which is easier to find) is best for this salad. Other good choices include Italian Toscanello and Manchego from Spain, which are also made from sheep's milk.

The dressing for this salad is based on an old Pennsylvania Dutch recipe.

"I spent a weekend in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains," writes Elizabeth Haworth of Columbia, South Carolina. "The Riverwood restaurant in Blowing Rock was a real treat—I especially enjoyed their fig and Stilton salad with Port dressing. Would the chef share the recipe for this unusual salad?" The sweet-tart dressing paired with creamy Stilton cheese strikes a great balance in this winter salad.