Bon Appétit

This quick-to-make cornbread is a delicious — and unusual — side for the Steamed Clams with Pasta. Improv: No pancetta? Regular bacon works, too.

Crème fraîche is a cultured cream with a rich, silky texture and a nutty, tangy flavor that's well worth seeking out for this recipe. Look for it at some supermarkets and in the dairy section of specialty foods stores. Baker's sugar, a favorite of pastry chefs, is also called superfine sugar. It measures the same as regular but dissolves more quickly. It's available at some supermarkets. You can also make your own by whizzing granulated sugar in a food processor until powdery.

The entrée and side dish roast together for a quick yet elegant meal.

Without the ice cream and served warm, these make a great brunch dish.

For subtle spice in this Asian-inspired soup, use half a red chile; add a whole chile for a good punch of heat.

Baker's sugar, a favorite of pastry chefs, is also called superfine sugar. It measures the same as regular but dissolves more quickly. It's available at some supermarkets. You can also make your own by whizzing granulated sugar in a food processor until powdery.

Kansas city steaks (also known as New York strip steaks) are sirloin steaks that have the bone attached. If you can't find this cut, ask your butcher to cut the filet side off porterhouse or T-bone steaks, leaving the strip side with the bone for you. What to drink: A Merlot-based red with intense fruit and velvety tannins. Try a Bordeaux or a California blend.

Baker's sugar, a favorite of pastry chefs, is also called superfine sugar. It measures the same as regular but dissolves more quickly. It's available at some supermarkets. You can also make your own by whizzing granulated sugar in a food processor until powdery.

George Hendrix of Carbondale, Colorado, writes: "My family is usually in a hurry to eat, so dinner has to be on the table fast. This soup was one of my mom's standbys when I was growing up. I often make it in big batches and just ladle it out and microwave as needed." This soup is even better the day after it's made, when the flavors have had a chance to mellow.

A meatless yet rich dish that would make a perfect appetizer for St. Patrick's Day dinner.

George Hendrix of Carbondale, Colorado, writes: "My family is usually in a hurry, so dinner has to be on the table fast. The stir-fry doesn't require much preparation and the oyster sauce gives it rich flavor, which means I don't have any trouble getting my teenage boys to eat the vegetables."

A new take on carrot cake.

For an added surprise, place a couple of raspberries or pieces of chopped pear in the center before baking. Serve with a dollop of crème fraîche, if desired.

A thoroughly modern take on the classic baked potato with sour cream.

Note that the chops need to marinate for at least three days, so begin preparing this dish well in advance. What to drink: A white wine with snappy acidity and lemon-lime notes, like dry Riesling or Grüner Veltliner.