5 Ingredients or Fewer

Hélène Wagner-Popoff writes, "My husband, Ivan, and I moved to Corsica from Madagascar eleven years ago on a whim. We restored an abandoned convent and saved the thousand-year-old olive grove surrounding it. Today we produce an olive oil called 'de pays de Corse Ivan Popoff.' Although I was born in Lyons, the subtle flavors typical of Corsican cooking have definitely influenced my style. My dishes are extremely varied and well thought-out, but most of all simple. I like to surprise my family and guests with unexpected flavor combinations that don't take a lot of effort." While this is delicious on its own as a side dish, Hélène also recommends it as a sauce spooned over roasted fish.

A simple roast potato becomes a thing of beauty thanks to humble parsley.

Mashed potatoes are always a crowd-pleaser at holiday meals. But if you want to mix things up a bit this year, try one of our delicious variations, below.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Guacamole (there are many kinds in the freezer section these days) and a new sweet fruit salsa are good accompaniments to these quesadillas. (The quesadillas make good use of shredded mixed cheeses and pre-seasoned, precooked chicken.) Have sliced oranges and red onions atop romaine for a salad, and buy flan or vanilla pudding to top off the meal.

For a double-crust pie, double the ingredients, divide the dough in half, and form two disks.

"When I was a small child, my father used to take my elder brother and me to New York City for St. Patrick's Day," writes Stephanie Foley of Massapequa, Long Island. "We would spend the morning marching in the parade while my mother, back in Long Island, prepared a feast of corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes. But what we all truly looked forward to was her Irish soda bread. It's savory and substantial — and unlike any other I have tried. I hope you all enjoy it as much as we do."

Enjoy this cake with berries and cream, or have it toasted for breakfast.

The spice rub that we have used in this recipe works equally well with other steaks such as sirloin.

Black olives absorb the flavor of red wine and fennel in this warm appetizer.

Hoisin sauce — a combination of soybeans, garlic, chiles, and spices — lends a sweet-spicy flavor to this pork roast. Look for it at Asian markets and well-stocked supermarkets. What to drink: Uncork an Australian Merlot or a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

Serve this soup with a sandwich or a salad for a delicious lunch or light supper.

Look for the black sesame seeds in the Asian foods section of a specialty market; they add a dramatic touch to this simple side dish. If you can't find them, just use all white seeds instead.

I got the idea for this recipe from my Lebanese mother-in-law, Leila Matar, who often makes a tahini dressing for green salads. It also turns up in her kafta (meatloaf), on falafel, and, with some parsley and extra lemon, over fried or grilled fish. Active time: 5 min Start to finish: 5 min

The polenta can be made a day ahead and reheated in the oven.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 30 min