Name: Fried Yuca with Peruvian Cheese Sauce
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: Makes 4 side-dish servings
Ingredients: 1/2 lb Mexican queso fresco or mild feta cheese, broken into small pieces; 1/2 cup half-and-half; 1 1/2 tablespoons bottled ajì amarillo purée (available at kitchenmarket.com); 1 garlic clove, peeled and smashed; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 2 lb fresh yuca (cassava) or 1 1/2 lb frozen peeled yuca (not thawed); About 6 cups vegetable oil; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Garnish: fresh lime wedges (preferably Key limes); a deep-fat thermometer

Yuquitas a la Huancaína
Think of this as the Peruvian answer to fries and ketchup. While huancaína sauce is usually served over sliced potatoes with boiled eggs and olives, Guillermo Payet finds it a great accompaniment to fried yuca, the potato-like root vegetable.

Cooks' Notes:

· Sauce made with queso fresco will be very thick. Thin with additional half-and-half if desired.
· Sauce can be made 1 day ahead and chilled in a bowl, covered. Bring to room temperature, then stir before serving.

Recipe notes

Mascarpone Cheesecake

An extra-silky filling (no water bath needed!) and a smooth sour cream topping make this the ultimate cheesecake.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Golden Mushroom Soup With Orzo & a Pat of Butter

This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Crème Anglaise

The silky French vanilla sauce that goes with everything.

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Smothered Italian Sausage

This is what I call a fridge-eater recipe. The key here is getting a nice sear on the sausage and cooking the tomato down until it coats the sausage and vegetables well.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.