Chicken/3 recipes

Yukon Gold potatoes melt into sharp cheddar for a silky, creamy soup topped with nutmeg that rivals any restaurant version but costs a fraction of the price.

Spiced shrimp with broiled polenta stacks lemon-sage shrimp onto crisp-broiled polenta rounds, finished with crumbled prosciutto. An elegant, quick New Year's Eve appetizer or small-plate main.

Pumpkin ravioli soup, a silky sage-and-thyme pumpkin broth ladled over plump cheese ravioli and dusted with cinnamon. A cozy fall bowl that comes together in about half an hour.

Cheesy figue vert gratin: a Caribbean side dish of green bananas simmered in chicken stock, mashed with onions, cream, and eggs, then baked under a cheddar and breadcrumb crust.

Earthy mushroom pilaf with quick-cooking barley, shiitakes, and porcini in Marsala wine. Vegetarian side dish ready in 30 minutes with rosemary and sherry vinegar.

Mom's cheesy potato casserole made with frozen hash browns, sharp cheddar, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup, topped with buttery corn flakes. The ultimate comfort food side dish.

Silky pureed vegetable soup packed with broccoli, potatoes, carrots, leeks, and zucchini, finished with a pour of cream. Comfort in a bowl for chilly nights.

Spinach and potato soup with crispy bacon, white wine, herbs, and a finish of milk and chorizo. Hearty, herb-flecked weeknight bowl ready in an hour.

Creamy cauliflower leek soup gets its silky body from pureed cauliflower, not heavy cream, with slowly cooked sweet leeks, a touch of Dijon, and lemon thyme. A velvety, light soup finished with chives and crisp garlic croutons.

A savory and delicious soup made with juicy tomatoes, chickpeas and succulent veal sausage.

Fermented black beans can be found at Asian markets; but if unavailable, you can substitute prepared black bean sauce.

Ribbons of spinach, carrots, and zucchini stack between lasagna noodles with a nutmeg-spiced cottage cheese sauce for a surprisingly rich vegetarian bake.

Roasted Duckling with Apple Sesame Stuffing recipe

Shrimp and cashew stir-fry tosses tender shrimp with toasted cashews, mushrooms, spinach and snow peas in a soy-garlic glaze. A 30-minute Chinese-American dinner over brown rice.

Loaded black bean soup pureed silky-smooth with smoky ham hock, sherry, lemon, and a finish of sour cream and fresh dill. Steakhouse-style classic that elevates the humble bean.

Pork shoulder chops braised with golden hominy and carrots in chicken broth, finished with pink pickled onions. A one-pan riff on pozole that lets the pork do the talking.