Yukon Gold Potato

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.

Channel New England with this rich and warming one-pot clam chowder. 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. This is part of BA's Best, a collection of our essential recipes.

Generously seasoned birds sit overnight, then get a high-heat roasting on a baking sheet, spaced apart so air can circulate around them, crisping the skins.

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.

Adapted from The River Cafe Classic Italian Cookbook by Rose Gray, Ruth Rogers, and Michael Joseph. Copyright Rose Gray 2009.

For this smashed potatoes recipe, we like red skin potatoes for their creamy flesh and tender texture.

To save yourself some chopping, look for bags of mixed, pre-cut braising greens, available at some supermarkets. (Buy spinach separately for the gremolata.) Serve with warm bread for a filling main course.

Quickly cooking peeled, diced potatoes, then letting them dry slightly, will give you consistently light mashed potatoes.