Simmer

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Saltines and a salad of romaine, spinach and red bell peppers tossed with vinaigrette are all that’s needed to complete the entrée. Boston cream pie is just right for dessert.

This recipe is from Cafe Annie in Houston, TX.

This sorbet has summer in every bite. Be sure to use very ripe apricots, and don't neglect the lemon juice. The sorbet is best eaten right after it is made.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Water, rather than oil, serves as the counterpoint to vinegar in this rich and savory dressing, which is wonderful spooned over shredded Napa cabbage or cooked fish or cauliflower, or tossed with boiled sliced potatoes.

Mascarpone gives a tangy contrast to the sweetness of pears that have been poached in vanilla-scented white wine.

This recipe originally accompanied Braised Beef Short Ribs with Root Vegetable Ragout.

These mashed potatoes are a great accompaniment to the bass fillets with mushrooms and the shrimp and endive. Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 40 min

Even those who aren't fans of lima beans will love this recipe. The tough bean skins are completely broken down, so the texture of the purée is silky and smooth.

Accompanied by Champagne, this beautiful and delicious appetizer starts the meal on a sophisticated note.

I first tasted this Cantonese pickle in a commercial version that I bought in Seattle's International District. The pickle contained stem ginger, in thick pieces so tender that you could eat them right along with the other vegetables. If you happen to grow your own ginger, by all means use the stems in this recipe. Otherwise, include the ginger just as a flavoring. The children who have tasted this pickle love it just as much as the adults do.

This recipe originally accompanied Lemon-Sage Cornish Game Hens with Tomato-Porcini Sauce. If you can get it, use stone-ground cornmeal; it's grainier than regular cornmeal and gives the dish a slightly crackly texture.

The salty nut topping provides a nice contrast to the sweet mashed turnips.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 25 min

A sprinkling of cinnamon brings even more depth of flavor to the caramelized onions that garnish this exotic dish.

Francoise Joiris of New York, New York writes: "In honor of our firefighters lost on September 11, could you please rerun the article and recipes you published a few years back about Company 18 of the FDNY? This is our local company, and it suffered a great loss of men at the World Trade Center." We're happy to reprint this recipe, named for firefighter Steve "Gonzo" Gonzalez.

Okra replaces the usual eggplant in an innovative and appealing appetizer.