Southwestern

Jennifer Smith of Tyler, Texas, writes: "Now that I'm a stay-at-home mom, I cook more than I used to. My husband and I have discovered that dining out with a 16-month-old is messy at best, so we tend to eat in. Even then, cooking is a challenge, since my daughter is always underfoot. My husband and I like simple comfort foods, so I don't have to spend too much time preparing elaborate meals. I just keep plenty of garlic and herbs on hand to spice up whatever I'm making. My must-have pantry staple is flavored petite diced tomatoes. They're great in chili and my black bean soup."

Chayote (often mistaken for a squash) is a fruit with a cucumber-like taste and texture. The sweet-spicy balance of this appetizer goes well with Sauvignon Blanc or beer.

This recipe is inspired by a dish served at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill, in New York City. The smoky heat of the chipotle chile and the potato's natural sweetness balance each other beautifully.

Here's a unique no-cabbage slaw with a dressing that is spicy and a little sweet.

Editors' note: In the recipe below we cooked our Thanksgiving turkey on a gas grill, but a 22 1/2-inch charcoal kettle grill will also work. Cooking times and results may vary, of course, according to the weather and type of grill. The gas grill we used had a thermometer, and at the lowest settings, the grill (with lid closed) maintained temperatures between 350°F. and 400°F. We did not stuff this turkey because when cooking on a grill it is difficult to maintain the steady temperature to adequately cook the stuffing. Instead, we baked our chorizo, roasted corn, and currant dressing in the oven. If you prefer to roast your turkey in the oven, follow the cooking instructions given in the recipe. We brined our turkey because we love the exceptional flavor and moistness that the method imparts to lean meats. If the brining process is too much for you to take on at Thanksgiving time (a 5-gallon bucket and an extra refrigerator come in handy), feel free to omit the step. Simply season the bird with salt and then cook as directed.

Partner this sandwich with a bean and rice salad and some crunchy pickles. End with vanilla pudding and fresh pineapple. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Borracho means drunk, and it refers to the beer in the cooking liquid. If you're cooking beans and pork roast at the same time, you can use the fatty pieces of pork that you remove while carving to add flavor to the beans. Otherwise, use some bacon.

Carne Adovada At Maria's New Mexican Kitchen, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, this stew is used to fill enchiladas and burritos, but it also makes a very satisfying meal served alone or over rice.

A cross between spoon bread and tamale pie, this flavorful, colorful side dish is a huge crowd-pleaser. Assemble it at least one hour and up to one day before baking.

If you can't get cotija cheese, you can substitute feta — it's stronger in flavor and a bit saltier than cotija, but it works fine. Archibald also makes a version of this salad topped with shavings of Manchego cheese.

This is another wonderful all-purpose salsa. It goes particularly well with eggs and any dish containing black beans. The essential technique in this recipe is the blackening of the tomatoes. That and the chipotle chile give the salsa its deep, smoky flavor.

Even better over rice. Top it with sour cream and grated cheddar cheese.

Brian Polcyn of the Five Lakes Grill in Milford, Michigan, has updated this Mexican favorite by oven-roasting the stuffed chilies rather than coating them with batter and frying them. The chilies are presented on a bed of rich-tasting caramelized onions.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.