2 sweet potatoes
4 Yukon gold potatoes
8 new potatoes
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Peel and cube the sweet potatoes and Yukon Gold potatoes. Scrub the new potatoes and cut into cubes.

2. Place the cubed potatoes in a large saucepan; add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook 3 minutes; drain.

3. Spread drained potatoes in a single layer on a large nonstick baking sheet; drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with tarragon, salt and pepper. Roast until browned and crisp, about 25 minutes; serve immediately. Makes 6 servings.

Emily

2-1/4 pounds russet potatoes
1 whole garlic bulb
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons butter
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
fresh chives, cut into small pieces

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Peel potatoes and cut into even-size pieces. Place in a large pot of lightly salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until cooked through; about 20 minutes.

2. Separate garlic cloves but do not peel them. Place in a bowl, add olive oil and toss to coat. Place on a baking sheet and roast in the oven until softened, about 10 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.

3. Drain the potatoes and return to the pot; mash slightly. Add sour cream and butter. Quickly squeeze pulp from the garlic cloves into potatoes. Add salt and pepper; mash potatoes until combined and smooth. Transfer to a serving bowl; sprinkle with chives. Makes 4 servings.

Emily

1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon dried sage leaves
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 cups Brussels sprouts, cut in half
1/2 pound parsnips, peeled, quartered, then cut into 2-inch pieces
1/2 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cups baby carrots

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Melt the butter in a 1-quart saucepan; stir in sage and garlic.

2. Place the remaining ingredients in an ungreased 13×9-inch baking dish; pour the butter mixture over the vegetables and stir to coat.

3. Cover with foil; bake 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake about 15 minutes longer or until the vegetables are tender. Makes 6 servings.

1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 cup fresh corn kernels*
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1-3/4 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice
4 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon ground sage
1 (10-3/4 ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1. In a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat, heat the oil; add the corn, pepper and onion and cook for 6 minutes or until the vegetables start to brown.

2. Add the rice; cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Stir in the broth and sage; heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low; cover and cook 20 minutes or until the rice is done and most of the liquid is absorbed.

3. Stir in the soup; cook 2 minutes more, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Makes 8 to 10 servings.

* You may substitute 1 cup of drained, canned whole kernel corn for fresh corn, if desired.

Emily

2 cups uncooked mafalda noodles
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup sliced celery
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium zucchini or summer squash, quartered lengthwise and sliced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 (15 ounce each) cans red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs, undrained
1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup refrigerated basil pesto

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cook and drain the noodles as directed on the package using the minimum cook time.

2. Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery and bell pepper; cover and cook 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are just tender. Uncover and stir in the zucchini and garlic; cook and stir 1 minute longer.

3. Place the noodles in an ungreased 2-1/2-quart casserole. Stir in the carrot mixture, beans, tomatoes, 1/4 cup of the cheese, the salt, pepper and pesto. Cover and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until hot in the center. Top each serving with the remaining cheese. Makes 6 servings.

Emily

4 medium red potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 large onion, cut in half and into 1/4-inch slices
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/4 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 teaspoon dried tarragon leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips
1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch slices

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Place the potatoes, onion and carrots in baking dish; toss with 1/2 each of the oil, garlic, thyme, tarragon, salt and pepper. Bake for 10 minutes.

3. In a medium bowl, toss the bell pepper and zucchini with the remaining oil and seasonings; stir into the potato mixture. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the vegetables are tender, stirring halfway through bake time. Makes 6 servings.

Emily

1 (10-3/4 ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup
1/2 cup milk
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup cauliflower florets

In a 3-quart saucepan combine all the ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low; cover and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Makes 6 servings.

Emily

1. Combine the soup, milk, lemon juice, broccoli and 2/3 cup of the onions in a 1-1/2-quart casserole; stir and cover.

2. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until the broccoli is tender; stir.

3. Sprinkle the remaining onions over the broccoli mixture; bake 5 more minutes or until the onions are golden brown. Makes 6 servings.

Emily

1 medium head of cabbage, core removed and cut into wedges
1large onion, peeled and cut into wedges
1/2 cup melted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup crushed saltine crackers
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups milk

1. Place the cabbage and onion wedges in a large pot; cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until tender; drain.

2. Add the remaining ingredients to the drained cooked cabbage; stir to blend. Pour into a buttered 13×9-inch casserole. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned on top and sauce is thickened. Makes 8 servings.

Emily

1 (30 ounce) package frozen extra-spicy and crispy potato wedges
2 cups chopped fully cooked ham
8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 cup chopped green onions
1 (15 ounce) jar cheese dip
1/2 cup sour cream

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Arrange the potato wedges in the baking dish; bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until thawed and beginning to brown. Top with half each of the ham, bacon, bell pepper and green onions. Spread cheese dip on top; sprinkle with the remaining ham, bacon and bell pepper.

3. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until the cheese dip is melted and the potatoes are tender. Top with dollops of sour cream and the remaining green onions. Makes 8 servings.

Emily