Bon Appétit

The ricotta needs to drain overnight for this recipe, so begin one day ahead. Grade B maple syrup has a deeper flavor than Grade A; it's available at Trader Joe's and specialty foods stores, and from vermontcountrystore.com.

No, it's not a mistake. This cake really doesn't contain any eggs. The oil in the batter makes the cake moist; the rest of the ingredients provide enough structure to give the cake a great crumb.

These dessert soufflés are light and satisfying. The vermouth really brings the sauce together.

Surprisingly, it takes half a gallon of milk to get 1 1/2 cups of fresh ricotta. You'll need a double batch to have enough for the <epi:recipelink id="351042">gnocchi</epi:recipelink>. For the moistest, lightest consistency, let the curds drain only aslong as specified.

Start making the dough one day in advance; it needs to be refrigerated overnight.

It's the classic brunch dish—in salad form. Frisée, edamame, radishes, and red onions are sprinkled with prosciutto, then topped with a poached egg and hollandaise.

In this simple side, humble apple cider vinegar is transformed into a gastrique (a slightly syrupy reduction).

Many wild-mushroom combinations work; buy three to four varieties. Chanterelle, oyster, maitake (hen-of-the-woods), brown beech, stemmed shiitake, and black trumpet mushrooms would all be delicious.

Finally, PB&J for dessert. In this whimsical sweet, a peanut butter shortbread cookie is topped with a layer of blackberry jam. Some frozen shortbread dough is grated over the jam before baking for a nice finishing touch.

Classic spoon bread is a savory pudding served as a side dish. In this dessert version, the slightly sweetened batter is baked in individual ramekins, then topped with strawberry preserves.

A fun take on the crowdpleasing cream cheese brownies.

Danish blue cheese, which is more economical than Roquefort, adds a rich tang to these cheese puffs.

Carbonnade is a Belgian beef stew flavored with beer, onions, and brown sugar. We’ve substituted inexpensive chicken thighs. Serve over egg noodles.

Serve the puddings in clear dishes to show off the distinct layers.

Who needs lobster? Mussels bring a similar richness to this soup.

Packed with veggies and two kinds of cheese, this dish is hearty and surprisingly luxurious.