Potato

"Even in the spring it can be very chilly here in New England," saysMichelle M. Littlefield of Feeding Hills, Massachusetts. "My mom and I like to prepare this soup on weekends — and our entire family loves to warm up with a bowl of it."

Pears add sweetness and texture to these mashed potatoes. Also serve sautéed summer squash to round out the main course.

Think of these as a cross between potato chips and roasted potatoes. They'd be a perfect side dish for a variety of main courses (especially those with sauces— they're made for dipping) or, better still, as a crisp alternative for boiled potatoes in a salade niçoise.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 45 min

The early Yankees often cooked local shellfish in milk-based chowders with potatoes. True to their English heritage, the colonists planted kitchen gardens with as many herbs as they could cultivate, which they put into all kinds of dishes, including chowders.

With such hearty vegetables, this can easily be served as a meatless main course.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A soothing soup for any time of year.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Some thickly sliced tomatoes and hot corn bread would be good with this country-style dish. A great choice for dessert is rustic stewed rhubarb with dollops of sour cream.

Oven-baked potato "chips" at their best.

Basmati-rice pilaf studded with peas and carrots is ideal on the side with this mild curried soup. Have chutney, yogurt and warm pita bread as additional accompaniments. Slice fresh bananas atop papaya or mango sorbet for a refreshing dessert.

Save the beet tops for a quick side dish: just sauté them with garlic and olive oil, sprinkle with lemon, salt and pepper, and serve.