Yukon Gold Potato

The smoky flavor of the fish combined with a sweet maple sauce and mustardy potatoes adds up to a rustic fall meal that will win raves. Inspired by the open-fire plank-cooking techniques of northwest Native American cultures, this nontraditional version uses the oven instead of the grill. Be sure to presoak the plank overnight to prevent flare-ups, and if you don’t have a plank, fear not: many Epi members report great success simply roasting the salmon in a pan with the glaze.

Potato samosas are one of the most popular Indian dishes, and one of the easiest to make. Traditionally, they’re a little larger than the ones this recipe yields, but regardless of size, the mix of warming spices, potatoes, and peas makes for a delicious appetizer or snack. And because these are baked instead of fried, they’re healthier. An easier alternative to using phyllo dough is to use wonton wrappers, but they will change the exterior texture from buttery and flaky to crispy and crunchy.

Perfect with roast chicken on a casual Monday night with family, this seven-ingredient dish is great to throw together at the last minute. Steam the potatoes instead of boiling—this will keep them fluffy and light. Then, taking inspiration from German-style potato salad, smash them with a hot and smoky bacon dressing and toss with fresh dill, cider vinegar, and sugar. Planning an elegant winter spread? Serve this hearty side with pork chops.

For those who’ve not already jumped on board, it’s time to embrace kale! It stars in this hearty potato salad, versatile enough for a stand-alone meal or an accompaniment to pork tenderloin. Strip the kale quickly by turning the leaf upside down, grasping the top of the stem with one hand, and wrapping the other hand around the stem just below. Pull the leaf down with your lower hand; it will easily peel away. Then, save time by preparing the tahini dressing as the seasoned potatoes roast in the oven.

Jazz up a traditional summer staple with this extra-fresh side dish. Usually potato salads are dense dishes drenched in mayonnaise, but this version provides a boost in flavor and texture with cucumbers, onions, radishes, and dill. Be sure to leave ample time for preparation, as the recipe requires you to pickle the cucumbers overnight. Prepare an extra batch; the pickled cucumbers make a great snack on their own and add a satisfying crunch to other salads and sandwiches and will last in the refrigerator for several days.

The crisp beans and potatoes can be cooked an hour ahead and kept at room temperature, but toss the potatoes with the dressing while they are still warm. To soak up any extra herbed garlicky goodness, serve with the Garlic Bruschetta.

Braising the fennel and simmering the potatoes in cream before assembling the gratin infuses them with extra flavor.

The more carefully you arrange the potato slices, the prettier the results and the better the individual-size cakes will hold together.

If fresh clams are unavailable (or you're running short on time), substitute two 10-ounce cans of baby clams and 6 cups of bottled clam juice.

Lentils and fresh and dried mushrooms give this vegetarian casserole its meaty character. You can prepare most of it in advance and bake it just before your guests arrive.

These tiny gnocchi are tender, so place the cooked pasta in a bowl and spoon the porky sauce over top, instead of tossing the two together.

This adaptation of the tortilla española from New York's Boqueria starts with potatoes that are slowly cooked in lots of olive oil. There will be plenty of oil left over, but don't worry: Use it to make a garlicky mayo to serve alongside.

No-fry zone: We let the fish 'n' chips fave go au naturel.

This classic French dish is originally made without cheese. It is the starch from the potatoes, and the cream and milk, which give the dish its cheesy taste while the leek and garlic gently infuse their flavors into the potatoes. Of course if you prefer you can add some grated gruyère to the top along with the cream.

White wine and briny shellfish juices marry in the pot, then are puréed with parsley to create a light sauce so flavorful, it needs only a touch of butter.

When both the recipe developer (Gina Marie Miraglia Eriquez) and the cross-tester (Melissa Roberts) raved about this soup, it was clear we had a winner! This almost-vegetarian chowder is chock full of a variety of colorful diced vegetables. Of course, we love the smoky nuance the bacon gives it, but if you wanted to make this strictly vegetarian, just lose the bacon and use vegetable stock in place of the chicken broth. This is ski-house material to feed a hungry horde, or use a long weekend to have several smaller gatherings to pay back all your friends (once you’ve cleaned for one party, you might as well throw another one).

These potatoes are buttery, golden, and crisp with a wonderful flavor. Yukon golds are waxy and fry well, finishing with a beautiful golden flesh with browned edges. It’s important to pan-fry them in clarified butter and a little vegetable oil, a mix that can withstand the high heat required to get the potatoes crisp and browned without burning.

Tacos are served at all the Mexican markets for workers and shoppers who want a quick bite, including breakfast, as the markets usually open at sunrise. In the Southwest, small restaurants offer whole menus of breakfast tacos (my favorite, Taco Taco, in San Antonio, Texas, offers fifteen morning choices). And breakfast tacos and burritos have become an increasing familiar option along with bagels and pastries at most major airports in the United States and at the drive-throughs of many national fast-food chains. Not only are these vegetarian tacos a fiery morning wake-up, they’re good anytime as part of a larger meal, particularly alongside grilled or roasted meats or fish.

In the Pizzeria kitchen we refer to this as the “breakfast pizza” because of the traditional combination. We don’t cut through the egg because the whole egg looks pretty in the center of the pizza when we bring it to the table. And that way our customers can have the thrill of breaking the yolk themselves.