To get a head start, roast the garlic, caramelize the onions, and even assemble this robust casserole the day before you plan to serve it. Use leftover roasted garlic to flavor soups, or combine with olive oil as a spread for toasted baguette slices. Pancetta is Italian unsmoked bacon. You can substitute regular smoked bacon, but use less, as the smoky flavor is more assertive.

serves 8
You might need to buy:
  • whole garlic head
  • vertically sliced onion
  • white wine vinegar
  • dried thyme
  • bay leaf
  • grated fresh Parmesan cheese
  • chopped fresh parsley
ready in about 50 minutes; serves 4
You might need to buy:
  • butter
  • finely chopped leek
  • Arborio rice
  • dry white wine
  • finely chopped fresh sage
ready in about an hour and 10 minutes; serves 4
You might need to buy:
  • uncooked Arborio or other short-grain rice
  • ground cumin
  • thinly sliced green onions
  • frozen whole-kernel corn
  • chopped bottled roasted red bell peppers
ready in about 50 minutes; serves 4
You might need to buy:
  • Patties:
  • finely chopped green onions
  • finely chopped cilantro
  • ground cumin
  • large egg white
  • canola oil
  • Spread:
  • mashed peeled avocado
  • finely chopped plum tomato
  • finely chopped red onion
  • fat-free sour cream
  • fresh lime juice