Simmer

Tartines de Caviar à la Crème Aigre Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 25 min

Cavolo nero is a member of the kale family and is available year-round in the United States. The reason you might have trouble finding it at farm stands, specialty produce markets, or natural foods stores is because of its many aliases: Tuscan kale, black cabbage, lacinata, lacinato, dinosaur kale, flat black cabbage, thousand-headed cabbage. Its rich, sweet, almost meaty flavor will have you hooked with the first bite. Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 30 min

This easy side dish would be great with the pork chops, the stuffed mushrooms, or the sirloin tip steaks. .

This dish uses three vegetable-bin staples: onions, celery, and carrots. If you don't have any canned broth on hand, dissolve a bouillon cube in water.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This delightful custard sauce-infused with black currant tea for a unique accent-is made with milk instead of cream. Begin preparing it a day ahead.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Orange juice adds zip to the dressing.

You can find canned litchis in the Asian section of most supermarkets.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. This recipe also works with oranges and tangerines: Substitute 2 oranges or 3 tangerines for the grapefruit.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Choucroute is traditionally cooked in champagne but if you wish to be more economical you can cook it in white wine and add a split or two of champagne at the table.