Oven Bake

Use the large grating disk on the processor to make short work of preparing the vegetables.

Pears and pear nectar add a delightful accent.

Something simple and delicious for dessert. Partner with store-bought gingersnaps.

This recipe originally accompanied Poached Halibut with Black Truffles and Purple-Potato and Crab Gratin .

The following is our own recipe for shrimp De Jonghe, the Chicago specialty. All recipes for shrimp De Jonghe are pretty much the same, the major variable being the amount of garlic used-from one to five cloves, depending on whether you want it to taste like a dainty, ladies' lunch kind of dish or a hearty casserole.

Cottage cheese is the secret to the moistness of these muffins. They're good spread with a bit of honey.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Makes use of the microwave oven.

Polenta is layered with Fontina cheese and cream in this decadent casserole. Offer it with the sausages and tomato sauce, or on its own as a brunch or lunch dish.

A crowd-pleasing standard gets a makeover with ground turkey instead of beef; sautéed vegetables and sun-dried tomatoes add flavor. Round out the meat loaf with the mashed potatoes, some green beans and dinner rolls. Pour a dry white or light red wine.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Makes use of the microwave oven.

The Mexican sausage called chorizo teams up with other southwestern ingredients-including corn bread, an Anaheim chili, cilantro and oregano-for a delicious stuffing.