Mini Dutch babies baked in a muffin tin. Even when they fizzle out, they’re still so cute and lovable.

Curry pumpkin soup from a kabocha squash that grew out of my compost heap.

Classic Dutch baby pancake, easy enough for an unsupervised child to make.

The Moosewood Cookbook’s cauliflower and cheese pie with shredded potato crust tastes better with bacon. Just sayin.’

Ukrainian borscht with pancetta and juniper berries – Volga German inflections on a Slavic classic.

Nettle-mushroom pie with pine nuts. This easy and delicious pie is worth picking nettles. It’s worth going gloveless, even.

Tomato soup with home-canned heirloom tomatoes and pancetta croutons. Chase the last winter chill and say hello to longer days.

Crispy prosciutto and perfect poached egg on toasted batard. Breakfast in under 10 minutes.

“More tomato soup” is a perfectly decent New Year resolution.

Four Asian mushrooms (shiitake, maitake, enoki and anzutake) and Brillat-Savarin triple-cream brie make the best risotto.

Vanilla-lavender lemon curd. Serve with biscuits, scones, or a spoon. With Bittman-style recipe.

Butcher and can your own tuna – it’s easy! …after a little practice, anyway.

Tuna croquettes made from home-canned albacore.