Leafy Greens

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.

In a traditional Seder meal, bitter herbs — sometimes including parsley — represent the bitter experience of slavery. Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 15 min

(Amanida amb Epàrrec i Pernil) A Catalan composed salad, or amanida, may be made of almost anything, though ham, sausage, or anchovies are often included. Traditionally, the ingredients are added to the final presentation individually rather than mixed together. Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 15 min

How do you spot a Yankee at Mrs. Wilkes'? He motions toward the turnip greens and says, "Please pass the spinach."

Use a sharp vegetable peeler to shave the Parmesan cheese into long strips.

Complete the menu with a tomato and red onion salad, sourdough bread, and poached pears (or canned) with raspberry sauce.

You can substitute flour tortillas for lavash.

Foster's variation on a simple Tuscan classic might be considered heresy to purists, but our customers are crazy about the addition of olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach. It's a great dish for summer buffets. The salad can be made a day in advance; serve it lightly chilled or at room temperature.

Cavolo Arricciato e Sformato Di Porri Although cavolo nero (a.k.a. Tuscan kale, lacinato kale, or dinosaur kale) is what Roman cooks would likely use for this flan, the dish works well with other kale varieties, too.

Serve with: Gingered rice pilaf and summer lettuces with a sesame vinaigrette.

This pretty salad would be great alongside grilled sausages, chicken, or burgers.

Serve with: A green salad and crusty bread.

Healthy eating was always a priority in my mother's kitchen, and this colorful, delicious dish continues to be a staple at our Thanksgiving and Christmas tables. Using dried bread crumbs will create a crispy topping, while fresh bread crumbs produce a more tender result. Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 40 min