Gourmet

Pho, the Vietnamese noodle soup, is traditionally made with long-cooked beef stock. Our quick version calls for deli sliced beef and canned beef broth instead.<

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

Use firm, dense apples such as Granny Smith, Fuji, or Pippin, which will hold their shape when cooked. Fresh ginger gives this sauce its gentle bite—don’t substitute the ground kind.

It's believed that this stew — called mafé or maafe — originated among the Bambara people of Mali. Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 2 1/4 hr

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 8 hr (includes steeping, chilling, and freezing)

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

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

You can make the crab mixture and beet purée ahead of time, but don’t assemble these hors d'oeuvres until just before serving or the apple slices will discolor.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Use this dressing on crisp lettuce or omit the buttermilk and serve it as a dip with crudités.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 20 min