Root Vegetable

In Cuba, this versatile side dish is known as congrí. Louisiana has its own version of red beans and rice, of course, but in that one you won't find the oregano, cumin or cilantro.

For ease, use the peeled baby carrots sold in plastic bags in the produce section of most supermarkets.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 15 min A wonderfully versatile salad that can be served with almost any main course. The vinaigrette is zesty and fresh, yet it's mild enough to work well with a variety of flavors.

"At a recent lunch at the Stage House Inn in Scotch Plains, I was served a braised veal shank," writes Max J. Kalm of Westfield, New Jersey. "This version was so much better than the ones I’ve prepared. Would chef David Drake be willing to share his recipe?" The restaurant serves this entrée with a vegetable risotto. Mashed potatoes would also be a good side dish for the veal shanks.

This recipe originally accompanied epi:recipeLink="101026"Cod with Miso Glaze and Wasabi Mashed Potatoes</epi:recipeLink>.<br><br> Here's an inventive use for the horseradish that most people know as a sushi condiment.

A taverna standard, saganaki (fried cheese slices) is named for the two-handled pan it's cooked in. Here, the cheese is melted to make a sauce for fish. Chef Costas Spiliades uses a medium-textured feta, such as Mt. Vikos or Dodoni brands, for this dish. He also uses a Greek Chardonnay, Katsaros, which is sold at some U.S. wine shops. Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 30 min

(Hot and Sweet Dipping Sauce)<P> This sauce is also delicious with grilled pork or lamb.<P> This recipe was created to accompany <epi:recipeLink ="14426">Thai Grilled Chicken</epi:recipeLink>.<P> Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Called Upper Peninsula Pasties, the original crusts, made with barley flour and little fat, were tough enough to survive a day in the copper mines. Boston-based pastry chef Greg Case has devised this more tender version. Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 2 1/4 hr

Because this dish was developed to complement the strong flavors of Pork Loin with Morel Stuffing, we kept the seasoning in these vegetables to a minimum. If you plan to serve this dish with simpler fare, you might want to increase the amount of garlic and herbs.

Fresh mint adds a summery accent to an elegant egg dish. Round out this delicious meal with a platter of fresh fruit.

Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 9‚ hr

This recipe makes lots of stock. Freeze any that's left over for another use.

The fragrant roasted birds are served with a pan sauce containing whole garlic cloves. Accompany the hens with a crusty garlic bread to mop up the sauce, and pour a light Chianti throughout the meal.