Simmer

Wild Rice with Fennel and Porcini

Seafood Stew with Fennel and Thyme

NORMANDY In Normandy, this richly flavored stew would be served with a composed salad of watercress, shallots, and roasted beets. What to drink: Muscadet, Chablis, or unoaked Chardonnay.

Wild Mushroom Soup with Sherry

"My husband and I ate dinner at the Dilworthtown Inn, a colonial-style restaurant in West Chester, Pennsylvania," writes Judy Kamp of Oxford, Pennsylvania. "I'd love to know how to make the creamy mushroom soup we both had to start the meal."

To Make Lobster Stock

Tuscan Kale Soup with Chorizo

Caldo Verde This soup may be made with regular kale, but lacinato kale (also known as Tuscan kale, cavolo nero, and black kale) has an artichoke-like sweetness that's so flavorful, we even loved the soup without the chorizo.

Rice Pudding with Almonds and Cherry Sauce

This rich and comforting pudding is served at the floating restaurant Fregatten Sct. Georg III in Tivoli Gardens.

Mocha Chip Gelato

Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 45 min

Potato Gnocchi with Beef Ragù

At the restaurant, the gnocchi are shaped in a time-honored manner that includes pressing each short dough piece against the tines of a fork. Home cooks may find it simpler to roll the dough along the wires of a whisk, as outlined here. Also, if you can't get ground chuck, buy a boneless chuck roast, and ask the butcher to grind it for you.

Roasted Poblano-Cream Soup

Lamb and White Bean Stew with Spinach, Parsley, and Dill

This unusual Iranian stew is served hot at the table from the casserole in which it has been cooked. The lid is lifted, and the delicious aromas of rich tender lamb, fresh herbs, spinach and beans fill the room. Serve with rice or orzo.

By Sheryl London and Mel London

Lentils with Sausage and Swiss Chard

This satisfying entrée goes well with a mixed green salad with cherry tomatoes and a balsamic vinaigrette. It would also be nice alongside sea bass.

Lo Mein with Beef

By Michael Tong

Macaroni Salad with Peas and Ham

Lighter, brighter flavors make this old-fashioned salad new again.

Green Pea Ravioli in Lemon Broth

Active time: 35 min Start to finish: 35 min

Lime Mousse Cake

"Every meal I've had at Addie's, a small place in nearby Rockville, has been great," says Alyssa Shooshan of Potomac, Maryland. "I especially like the lime cake; in fact, it's one of my favorite desserts. I do a lot of entertaining and would love to make the cake for a party."