Vegan

A vanilla bean is an extravagance that lends a note of sophistication to this drink, but extract is a fine substitute.

Packed with sea vegetables such as arame and kombu (both loaded with beneficial minerals), this recipe from Alexandra Jamieson, vegan chef and girlfriend of Super Size Me's Morgan Spurlock, is as good for you as it gets. Adding the miso after the stew is cooked ensures the preservation of its healthful microorganisms.

This chutney requires a lot of herbs. If the bunches at your supermarket are small, buy two or three.

Use a block of Asian (Thai) tamarind rather than the Indian kind. It's usually thicker, softer, and easier to work with.

Pommes allumettes There are two temptations in this recipe that you need to resist: Do not use a small pot for frying the potatoes — the oil will bubble up and overflow, which is extremely dangerous. And do not try to cook the potatoes in fewer than 6 batches or they won't get crisp enough. Because the timing for this menu can be complicated, we recommend that you make the potatoes ahead. They are just as delicious at room temperature as they are when hot.

Santo Stefano di Sessanio produces some of the best lentils in Abruzzo. Small French lentils make a good substitute.

Bhel poori is a savory puffed rice snack that's usually served with crackers (we like to eat it with a fork). The recipe for this one, which combines a surprising range of sweet, tart, and spicy flavors, was given to us by our art director Erika Oliveira's mother, who is Indian. The sev you buy should be thin but not very thin, or your bhel poori will be too mushy.

This recipe is an accompaniment for Chai-Spiced Honey Bundt Cakes . Any leftover syrup would be delicious drizzled over pancakes.

This recipe is an accompaniment for <epi:recipelink id="230635">Beef Tenderloin with Red Wine Sauce, Creamed Spinach, and Truffled French Fries</epi:recipelink>. You'll need a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature of the oil.

Willow Cheng of Santa Monica, California, writes: "I just got a big promotion and my husband wanted to take me out to dinner to celebrate. We had both heard great things about A.O.C., so we decided to check it out. The food didn't disappoint — especially the outstanding curried cauliflower."

This refreshing and versatile salad sets off some of the more decadent dishes at Isa.

A spicy Thai take on a classic party dish.