Ground Beef

A mixture of ground sirloin and ground chuck works best for these. (Don't use lean or extra-lean meat — the burgers won't be nearly as juicy.) Cold beer is the perfect accompaniment, so put bottles of Indian pale ale on ice; for guests who prefer wine, pour a fruity Beaujolais.

There are several varieties of mustard cabbage; for this recipe we used wrapped-heart mustard cabbage, also called swatow or dai gai choy. Sharp and pungent when raw, mustard cabbage sweetens and mellows with wilting and slow cooking. Try serving this dish with mashed potatoes, which go very well with the gravylike tomato sauce the stuffed cabbage is cooked in.

This quick, casual recipe endows beef burgers with the flavors of a great pizza.

Ground turkey would make a fine substitute for beef in these Southwest-style burgers (grill until cooked through).

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 45 min

Albóndigas con Salsa de Tomate y Chile de Serrano This is served with traditional Mexican White Rice .

"When I fled Greece during World War II and eventually relocated to Los Angeles, I brought with me the traditions of my home," writes Rebecca Levy. "A lot of these traditions have to do with food, and since sharing my heritage has always been important to me, I often make favorites from my homeland for friends and family. In addition, cooking for community events and teaching classes on Sephardic cuisine keep my schedule full." Pair this dish with rice pilaf or noodles.

Minestra You just know the Soprano family is eating the kind of Italian food that's getting harder and harder to find in our increasingly upscale Italian restaurants. This dish has that real-thing feeling; surely this is someone's grandmother's famous soup recipe. The soup is delicate but filling at the same time, with its pasta and baby meatballs. Unless you have Soprano-size appetites, this is a main-dish soup. We've cut the recipe in half so it will fit in your soup pot.

Known as bifteck haché in France, this dish would go well with potatoes au gratin from the freezer case and buttered, lightly steamed spinach. End with chocolate mousse.

Tamale pie, made with a cornmeal-mush crust, dates back to 1911. In this recipe, we use ready-made polenta packaged in a roll. The spicy beef filling takes advantage of the excellent bottled salsas and canned refried beans now crowding market shelves.

A typical chili of the depression years consisted of cheap meat stretched by even cheaper beans. Chili remained modestly popular even when the hard times waned, until Lyndon Johnson boosted its national profile during the 1960s. Now chili is back and bigger than ever. Even with the modern addition of smoked jalapeños (chipotles), the inclusion of black beans and beer, and a stylish drizzle of lime crema, this recipe is a classic-hot, hearty and filling.

This recipe is just right for a family meal or a casual party.

Serve with: Mesclun salad with an herb vinaigrette and sliced semolina bread. Dessert: Vanilla ice cream sprinkled with crushed amaretti cookies (Italian macaroons) and drizzled with Kahlúa.

This satisfying British staple is an excellent use for leftover mashed potatoes. You will need two cups for this recipe; bring them to room temperature before using.