Simmer

For this recipe, it's worth the effort to look for purslane at your local farmers market or specialty produce store. The salad green's fleshy texture and subtle citrus notes work well with the gentle flavors of Meyer lemon and makrut lime leaves.

Thyme really shines in this soup; sautéed apples are an interesting sweet garnish.

This one-pot dish is delicious over couscous. What to drink: Wines with distinctive spice notes, such as Gewürztraminer or Syrah.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 35 min

If you can't find pancetta, you can substitute regular bacon.

This elegant no-bake cheesecake has a smooth, airy filling similar to a mousse. To make the graham cracker crumbs, blend graham cracker pieces in a food processor.

Chef Tory McPhail writes: "I was 19 years old and just out of culinary school when I first started at Commander's Palace. Despite my training, nothing prepared me for the pressures of working in a fast-paced kitchen, or in a restaurant of such high quality. I think my success came down to sheer effort and a lifelong passion for cooking. Even as a kid I loved playing with cookie and pie dough. "After a seven-year absence, which I spent working abroad and opening a new Commander's Palace restaurant in Las Vegas, I came back to New Orleans last year. Since returning I've enjoyed cooking for my friends. On the weekends we'll go fishing, and then I'll grill our catch and serve it along with a fresh salad. That meal combines the two best things about living in the South — lots of fishing and great fresh produce." Serve these creamy grits with fried eggs for a southern-style breakfast. Andouille, a spicy pork sausage, is available at specialty foods stores and some supermarkets.

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

"When autumn comes to Chicago, I love going to Lucca's to enjoy a big bowl of pumpkin soup while sitting outside on the patio ," writes Tom Cove of Chicago, Illinois. "Can you get this terrific recipe?" A medley of exotic spices plus coconut milk and banana add complexity and rich flavor.

At Las Ventanas this soup and a corn soup are ladled side by side into the serving bowl.

Hearty fare from Auberge Sauvignon. Filet mignon is used instead of a cheaper cut, but the result is worth it.

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.

Cilantro, sour cream, grated cheddar or Jack cheese, chopped red or green onion and salsa would be great toppings. Look for chorizo in the refrigerated meat or deli case.

Oysters on the half shell with a cold sauce of vinegar, peppercorns and finely chopped lemongrass would be an elegant appetizer. Accompany the pork with the rice timbales , steamed snow peas and baby corn, and a dry Gewürztraminer. End with a salad of melon and pineapple with toasted coconut.

Extra-virgin olive oil takes the place of cream and butter in these decadent, golden mashed potatoes.

Goat cheese and truffle oil add rich flavors to the humble sweet potato.