Onion

Cold pea soup is a classic spring starter for a sophisticated English dinner. While mint is the time-honored herb of choice, tarragon makes for an appealing change.

Typical of hearty vegetable dishes of the Apulian region of Italy is this easy-to-make mixture of cabbage, onion and prosciutto.

Serve this saucy dish with steamed rice or crusty French bread.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This hearty winter entrée can be prepared several days ahead. Veal brisket is the boned veal breast. If you don't have a roasting pan large enough to hold both briskets, divide the ingredients in half and bake in two pans. If the veal is difficult to find, substitute one 5-pound flat-cut beef brisket and roast until tender, about 3 1/2 hours. Leftovers freeze well and make great sandwiches.

This dish comes together quickly, making it ideal for a weeknight dinner. Just add some steamed rice or sauté baby potatoes and a tossed green salad

Like the pepper relish, these super-satisfying onions would be good with all kinds of meat.

The verde on the succulent swordfish comes from the cilantro and chili marinade and a silky avocado mayonnaise. Start out with salsa and tortilla chips, and serve Mexican beer throughout the meal.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Maple syrup and apple brandy lend a delicate flavor to the turkey and gravy. The New England Sausage, Apple and Dried Cranberry Stuffing is an especially nice accompaniment. Watch how to prepare and carve your bird with our streaming video demonstration.

Artichokes, an Old World food, came to America with Italian immigrants and found a happy home in the near-Mediterranean climate of California. As "ethnic" fare, artichokes took their time catching on outside the Golden State. They finally did in the thirties and became something of a fad. Artichokes were not limited to the vegetable course, either. Sometimes the center "choke" was scooped out and the hollow filled with a stuffing for a fashionable light lunch entrée.

This chilled noodle salad from Zygot Bookworks & Cafe is loaded with crisp vegetables.