Potato

This mixture of vegetables is subtly flavored with apple juice and wine.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A spectacular one-dish meal that gets its rich flavor from homemade crab stock. The stock is simple to make and does not require a lot of time. Potato helps thicken the soup; butternut squash adds color.

(Mashed Potatoes with Cabbage) Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. This recipe for colcannon is thought to have come to the New World in the 1800s, carried by the great waves of Irish immigration.

(Russian Potato-and-Cabbage Turnovers)

It's low-fat milk, not cream, that gives this delicious side dish its richness. Try it with poached, grilled or roasted salmon steaks.

Even though they are most often associated with the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, potato pancakes have a year-round appeal. Here they are given a Middle Eastern twist with the addition of flour made from chick-peas - the dominant flavor in falafel - as well as chilis, herbs and spices. Pour a dry white wine. For dessert, present fruit and some halvah. Chick-pea flour is available at Middle Eastern and Indian markets.

A warming and filling main-course soup.

Although we give directions on how to stack the vegetables in these napoleons, feel free to arrange the vegetables and cheeses any way you wish.

Nice with grilled or roasted meat, fish or fowl.

This satisfying British staple is an excellent use for leftover mashed potatoes. You will need two cups for this recipe; bring them to room temperature before using.

Here's a stick-to the- ribs specialty where the Slavic influences of Trieste are deliciously evident. It's a typical holiday and special-occasion dish that is usually served from a big pot at the dinner table. The pot is always returned to the table later in the evening so that guests can have a snack before they leave.