Name: Cucumber Salad
Yield: Makes 8 servings (as part of larger meal)
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons fine-quality dried shrimp such as BDMP or Sea Emperor brands (optional); 1/2 cup fresh lime juice; 3 tablespoons sugar; 2 tablespoons nam pla (Asian fish sauce; preferably Thai); 2 seedless cucumbers (usually plastic-wrapped; 1 1/2 lb total), halved lengthwise and sliced crosswise 1/8 inch thick; 2 small shallots, thinly sliced (2 tablespoons)

Image may contain Plant Food Produce Vegetable Squash Zucchini Meal Dish Fruit and Banana

Cucumber SaladGEORGE WHITESIDE

Yam Taeng Kwa

Dried shrimp are an acquired taste; they have a very strong fish flavor. But this salad is wonderfully refreshing even without the shrimp.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 20 min

Cooks' notes:

• Shrimp can be ground 1 day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature. • Salad (without shrimp) can be made 1 hour ahead and chilled, covered.

Recipe notes

Classic Potato Latkes

Crispy. Golden. Fluffy. Bubbe would approve.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Mascarpone Cheesecake

An extra-silky filling (no water bath needed!) and a smooth sour cream topping make this the ultimate cheesecake.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Classic French Bouillabaisse With Rouille

This flexible recipe is all you need to bring this iconic Provençal seafood stew to your table.

Dulce de Leche

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.

Key Lime Pie Thumbprint Cookies

The classic dessert reimagined as a soft and chewy cookie with a buttery, brown-sugar-sweetened graham cracker dough and a silky lime custard filling.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.