Russet Potato

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Pressing potatoes through a food mill or ricer gives them a fabulous texture. But they're just as delicious simply mashed.

This recipe is an accompaniment for Short Ribs Provençale with Crème Fraîche Mashed Potatoes.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 1 3/4 hr

Just four ingredients add up to a rich and delicious side dish. Once the potatoes are sliced, the gratin comes together quickly and then bakes unattended for about an hour and 15 minutes.

For a more elegant presentation, we cut out rounds from the gratin with a 4-inch cookie cutter. Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 2 hr

This soup hails from Morocco.

To start, offer a seafood appetizer, such as chilled cocktail shrimp with herbed mayonnaise. What to drink: Pour Champagne or sparkling wine throughout the meal.

For a variation, you could throw in a cup of cooked vegetables left over from Thanksgiving to add texture to this creamy chowder. Serve the soup with chowder crackers, along with a spinach and pear salad. Purchased apple turnovers would make an ideal dessert.

Frozen artichokes simplify this recipe, which is inspired by one from cookbook author Paula Wolfert.

This side dish goes especially well with grilled or broiled meats.