Potato

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Balsamic vinegar is boiled with a bit of sugar until they form a luscious syrup to drizzle over the potatoes and veal.

The sweet potato and coconut milk balance the spiciness of this dish. Serve it over white rice, and dinner is ready.

This is delicious served with French bread or over steamed rice.

There is a historical reason why most Hanukkah menus offer foods that have been fried in oil. In the second century B.C., a one-day supply of oil inexplicably burned for eight days and eight nights after Judah Maccabee and his followers recaptured Jerusalem's Holy Temple from their Syrian oppressors. Hanukkah is the celebration of that miracle, and fried foods are served to commemorate the oil. In this country, the Eastern European potato latke is usually featured. These fritters are a Sephardic contribution to that tradition.

Jerry Goldberg of Chicago says,"After a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, I drove over to Harry Caray’s restaurant to celebrate the victory—and the team’s late announcer. The hearty chicken with potatoes was almost as memorable as Caray’s singing of 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame,' which was his seventh-inning tradition."

(Purée de Pommes de Terre, de Topinambours, et de Céleri-rave) At the market in Le Neubourg, not far from where I live in Normandy, each Wednesday farmers bring out their produce in a panoply that directly mirrors the seasons. This dish, which I make with vegetables from that market, is a celebration of fall. Farmers in Le Neubourg are really mostly market gardeners or truck farmers, or maraîchers. They and others like them are the backbone of the French agricultural system, providing from their small plots the best and the freshest produce in the country. Because they are small and sell direct, they can grow a wide variety of vegetables, which is why I can find Jerusalem artichokes alongside potatoes and celery root, dandelion greens, and wild mushrooms gathered in the surrounding woods. Though the vegetables in this dish are unglamorous, the balance here is luscious, rich, and satisfying.

Jennifer Martin of Portland, Oregon, writes: "I am not formally trained in cooking but grew up working in food service, from chopping vegetables at food festivals to catering parties for a little extra income. Today I own Epicure Custom Cooking, a gourmet takeout shop and catering company with a few tables for dining. Our specials change weekly and are geared toward what I like to cook and eat. I simply love the business, even with my 12-hour days."

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Some varieties of fresh thyme are stronger than others, so we've given a range. Try starting with 2 teaspoons and adding a third if you need more flavor. And, whatever you do, don't stint on the salt!

Potatoes are a major crop in northern New England, especially in Maine, and roots such as turnips have always played an important role in the region's cuisine. The availability and longevity of both vegetables make them indispensable for coldweather cooking.

The secret to crisp latkes is the removal of as much liquid as possible from the ground potatoes. Serve these plain (they're a fine accompaniment to a roast with gravy), or with sour cream or applesauce. See how to dice potatoes.