Oven Bake

We roasted a whole head of garlic for this recipe even though it's more than you need — the leftover cloves are such a versatile thing to have on hand. Use them in a puréed soup, rubbed on bread, mixed with green vegetables or a salad dressing, or mashed with mayonnaise. Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 1 hr

This can be completely assembled up to eight hours ahead, and then it requires only a short time in the oven.

Brandy, apples and cream add a taste of France's Normandy region to this entrée.

This tart is so deliciously rich, it can stand alone as a luncheon main course. A crisp green salad and a glass of nicely chilled white wine would complete a most satisfactory meal.

Here is an Asian twist on stuffed mushrooms. Chinese plum sauce and sesame oil make the satisfying, intensely flavored glaze. Small portobellos can be substituted for the shiitakes, if you like.

The fine bulgur in this recipe might seem like a specialty ingredient, but it is actually in most supermarkets, near the rice, under the name Near East Taboule Wheat Salad Mix (you won't need the seasoning packet). Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 2 hr

Caramelized pears plus dried apricots, cranberries, and prunes add intense fruit flavor to this stuffing from Rochelle Palermo Torres, a freelance recipe developer and cooking teacher.

A gratin is the golden, epicurean crust that forms on the surface of savory baked or broiled dishes. Pungent Gruyère makes a genial topping that acts as a protective layer, preventing the potatoes from drying out.

Regardless of the salt you use here, whether it be kosher, rock or sea salt, it will rarely be put to better use than encasing an entire fish while it bakes. The fish emerges succulent, with every ounce of flavor and texture intact, and the salt breaks away leaving just the perfect hint of saltiness.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 1 hr

For a meatless pizza, skip the prosciutto and add sautéed sliced portobello mushrooms.

The crunchy crumb topping contrasts nicely with the orange-scented sweet-potato puree. Sweet paprika adds a touch of heat.