Shallot

Serve this lovely starter with Champagne.

This recipe is a yummy one-pot entrée from The Elements of Taste, by Gray Kunz and Peter Kaminsky. The secret here is browning the meat.

Pae Thee Thoke Chinese long beans, also known as yard-long beans, really are long — about 18 inches.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Garnish with grapefruit, orange and lime segments if you like.

The rich caramelized shallots and fresh thyme make the following potato cake at once luxurious and homey.

The Kitchen Conservatory, a popular St. Louis cooking school, knows how the superb beef of the Midwest should be cooked. Suitable accompaniments are baked potatoes, steamed carrots and a green salad. Complete the meal with a pear tart.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Red pears are first choice here, but any ripe, firm pears would be delicious. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Offer this elegant dish with a sauté of vegetables.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. We found this pasta just as delicious without the salmon.

Open a bottle of fruity Chardonnay to serve with this enlightened take on a classic.