1/2 lb green beans, trimmed and cut diagonally into 1/2-inch pieces 1/4 cup pecans, toasted 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated fresh lemon zest 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil Cook beans in a 4-quart Read on!

1 pound carrots, cut into 3 1/2- by 1/3-inch sticks 1 1/4 cups water 1 cup cider vinegar 1/4 cup sugar 2 garlic cloves, lightly crushed 1 1/2 tablespoons dill seeds 1 1/2 tablespoons salt Blanch carrots in a 4-quart Read on!

1 cup finely chopped white and pale green part of leek, washed well 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 pound boiling potatoes 4 cups chicken broth 2 cups water 1/2 pound fresh sorrel, stems discarded and Read on!

1 teaspoon ground coriander seeds 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom 3/4 cup water 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar 1 small eggplant (about 3/4 Read on!

FOR TOPPING 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup whole almonds with skin 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled FOR FILLING 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise 1/2 stick unsalted butter Read on!

1 (1-lb) eggplant, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3 cups chopped braised lamb, leftover pot roast, or cooked ground beef 3 cups short tubular pasta (about 10 oz) such as cellentani Read on!

4 bacon slices, cooked crisp & chopped (save drippings) 1/2 large Vidalia or other sweet onion, finely chopped (2/3 cup) 1/2 pound fresh okra, trimmed and chopped 1 large egg 1 cup well-shaken buttermilk 1 cup cornmeal (preferably stone-ground) 1 Read on!

1 lbs small yellow squash and/or green zucchini, scrubbed and cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds 1 onion, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices 2 Tbs  canning salt 2 c crushed ice 1/2 cup cider vinegar 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (preferably dark Read on!