White potatoes can be used instead of Red Bliss, but their skins lack the rosy color of Red Bliss skins. Try to get potatoes of equal size; if that’s not possible, test the larger potatoes for doneness. If only larger potatoes are available, increase the cooking time by about 10 minutes. Check for doneness with a paring knife.

ready in about an hour and 20 minutes; serves 4
You might need to buy:
  • Table salt
  • bay leaf
  • Ground black pepper

A wonderful sign of spring, asparagus is at its best between March and May. Choose spears with bright green stalks and purple-tinted tips. If you do not plan to cook the asparagus immediately, stand the spears upright in a pan filled with 1 inch of water and refrigerate.

ready in about 10 minutes; serves 8
You might need to buy:
  • asparagus
  • extra-virgin olive oil
  • Zest of 1 lemon

Love potato pancakes but hate the tedious steps of peeling, shredding, and squeezing excess moisture from the potatoes? The Cook’s Country team discovered that frozen shredded hash-brown potatoes are a surprisingly effective shortcut. Don’t want to fry potato pancakes on the stovetop? A preheated oiled baking sheet delivers almost as much crispness, with far less mess.

ready in about 35 minutes; serves 4
You might need to buy:
  • vegetable oil
  • frozen shredded hash-brown potatoes
  • unsalted butter
  • large egg
  • cornstarch
  • salt
  • pepper

The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the potatoes. Large potatoes (about 2 1/2 inches in diameter will require the full 18 minutes; potatoes that are less than 1 inch in diameter may be done in just 8 minutes.

ready in about 25 minutes; serves 2
You might need to buy:
  • unsalted butter
  • Table salt and ground black pepper
The buttery potatoes, sautéed leeks, and garlic balance the pepper’s earthy flavor.

CALORIES 190(29% from fat); FAT 6.1g (sat 3.8g,mono 1.6g,poly 0.2g); PROTEIN 4.4g; CHOLESTEROL 17mg; CALCIUM 31mg; SODIUM 454mg; FIBER 1.9g; IRON 1.5mg; CARBOHYDRATE 28.8g

ready in about 50 minutes; serves 6
You might need to buy:
  • Cooking spray
  • 2% reduced-fat milk
  • salt
  • ground white pepper

2/3 cup serving: CALORIES 151 (27% from fat); FAT 4.6g (sat 1.7g, mono 1.9g, poly .8g); PROTEIN 7g; CARB 23.1g; FIBER 2.4g; CHOL 9mg; IRON .6mg; SODIUM 325mg; CALC 111mg

ready in about 50 minutes; serves 6
You might need to buy:
  • ears fresh corn
  • 1% milk
  • cornstarch
  • sugar
  • salt
  • ground black pepper
  • bacon
  • chopped leek