Casserole

A rich and elegant special-occasion dish.

Haricots verts (small, thin French green beans) would also be nice as a side dish, but regular green beans would be fine, too.

A nice stuffing for poultry or an excellent accompaniment to pork tenderloin or salmon.

Loaded with vegetables and topped with Parmesan cheese, this will satisfy the biggest hunger on the coldest winter night.

Potato gratin is, of course, the traditional side dish with roast beef, and this version is just right for a special occasion. Adding flavor are typical steak house ingredients, like mushrooms, garlic and herbs. Place a baking sheet in the oven on the rack below the gratin to catch any liquids that may bubble over.

For an easy and informal dinner, make a salad and some rice to go alongside this bubbling cheese mixture known as queso fundido. Each diner spoons some of the cheese into warm tortillas. This can also be served as an appetizer at parties. Mix up some Margaritas to add to the fun.

The pile of raw fresh chard may look daunting, but don't worry: It cooks down to about two cups. As a meatless main course, the casserole will serve six.

You don't have to be in the kitchen at the crack of dawn to prepare a terrific breakfast. In this recipe the French toast is soaked overnight like bread pudding — in the morning all you need to do is add the topping and pop it in the oven. Serve it with coffee, juice, and fresh fruit and you've got a well-rounded way to start the day.

A wonderful brunch dish. You will need to begin preparing it a day before serving.

By cutting back on butter and egg yolks and by using low fat milk, we've reduced the fat in this satisfying side dish without sacrificing the creaminess.

(TIAN DE POIVRONS ET D'AUBERGINES AUX ANCHOIS) This can be served hot or at room temperature, making it a good partner for roasted meats and fish or sandwiches. If you're not an anchovy fan, leave them out—the tian will still be great.

The following tsimmes with beets, turnips, carrots, and meat came from Vilna to Brooklyn earlier in this century. When I make this for my family I do not tell the children that it includes beets and turnips. For some unknown reason they never ask me how the dish became so red. They love it.

Make this a day ahead for the best flavor.

Just four ingredients add up to a rich and delicious side dish. Once the potatoes are sliced, the gratin comes together quickly and then bakes unattended for about an hour and 15 minutes.

This delicious stuffing is similar to a savory bread pudding. It's best baked alongside, rather than inside, the bird.

A strata can be refrigerated overnight before being baked, so it's perfect for entertaining.