5 Ingredients or Fewer

Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 9 1/2 hr (includes chilling) The potatoes in this recipe are chilled after boiling to get them very firm so they won't fall apart when you slice and sauté them. Some of our editors think chilling also helps the potatoes develop a better-browned crust when sautéing.

Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 1 1/4 hr

Chef Ludovic LeFebvre writes: "I'm looking forward to the opening of my restaurant, Ludo, this fall. It's going to be different from the elaborate French cuisine I've done in the past: People are interested in lighter and healthier foods now, and I want my cooking to reflect that. For me, that means using the best ingredients in simple ways. "Before coming to America, I apprenticed with some of France's best chefs, like Marc Meneau and Alain Passard. I was lucky to have such great teachers, but after two years of working 17-hour days, it was time for a change. Moving to Los Angeles definitely altered my work habits. My days in the kitchen are shorter, and there's more opportunity to enjoy cooking at home." This rich and creamy soup is elegant enough for company.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 45 min

If you want to make the scallions but not the rest of the menu (Grilled Pork Kebabs with Ginger Molasses Barbecue Sauce), see recipe for creamed grilled corn for instructions on preparing a charcoal grill. Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 40 min (includes soaking skewers)

These pork chops go well with rice with julienned carrots .

This vinaigrette is delicious as is, though it can serve as a base as well. Add minced shallot or garlic, minced fresh herbs, lemon zest and juice, cracked black pepper. Use it with grated carrots or beets, fresh tomatoes, or any other vegetable mixture.

Regular oranges work just as well, but they won't impart the same fiery sunset color.

Candied-Fruit Honey Wafers Dipped in Chocolate You might be tempted to bake 2 sheets of cookies at a time in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Don't give in to this urge — the cookies must go in the middle of the oven to cook through and brown evenly.

Top steak, chicken, or fish with this sauce, or toss it with warm potatoes. It's also great in a tomato or tuna sandwich.

Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 45 min

Dark brown sugar gives these buttery treats an extra-rich taste.

For lightly bitter greens (frisée and mizuna), a Sherry–walnut oil vinaigrette is perfect.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

I use spareribs, but you also can use baby back ribs. Just be aware that the racks are smaller (about 1 pound each) and the ribs have less meat.

Serve Champagne to add an elegant, light touch to this terrific brunch menu.

In the cuisine of Spain, a tortilla is an open-face omelet.