Recipes: Poblano Rings, Chicken Pot Tot Hotdish, Creamed Rice With Vegetables and Ham

Serves 6.

Note: The fairly mild heat of this pepper translates well to an onion-ring preparation. You'll need an instant-read thermometer for monitoring the frying oil. In testing, we found that roasting the peppers in the oven yielded rings that can easily become too soft for creating good poblano rings, so we recommend blistering their skins over a gas flame — or watching them closely in the oven. These are best eaten right after they're made. Adapted from Marcela Valladolid's recipe in "America the Great Cookbook: The Food We Make for the People We Love From 100 of Our Finest Chefs and Food Heroes," edited by Joe Yonan. Japanese breadcrumbs are larger and crisper than the traditional crumb, which could be substituted.

• 3 poblano peppers, preferably of equal size

• 3 c. vegetable oil, for frying

• 1 c. flour

• Coarse salt

• 2 eggs, beaten

• 3 tbsp. chipotle powder

Directions

Working with 1 at a time, use tongs to hold each poblano pepper over a gas flame, turning to char the skin on all sides — but just long enough so the poblanos remain firm. They should take about 5 minutes per pepper. Immediately transfer to a heatproof bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap, so the skins will steam/loosen (about 5 minutes). Discard the skins, then cut the chiles into 1/2-inch-wide rings, discarding the stem and membrane/seeds.

Heat the oil in a deep pot or large, heavy saucepan to 350 degrees (over medium heat). Place a wire rack over a baking sheet lined with paper towels.

Meanwhile, arrange 3 bowls in an assembly line: 1 with the flour, seasoned with about 1 teaspoon salt; 1 with the beaten eggs; and 1 with the panko and chipotle powder whisked together.

Working in batches, fry the rings in the hot oil for about 1 minute, until golden, turning them as needed. Transfer them to the rack to drain; sprinkle lightly with salt right away. (Discard any unused flour, egg and panko.) Serve warm.

Serves 6.

Note: There is something instantly comforting and wonderfully retro about this Tater Tot-topped casserole, with its expertly seasoned sauce and vegetables cooked to a nice texture. The original recipe mentions ketchup, for serving. But we like this hot dish just as it is. This casserole could be assembled, cooled and wrapped for the freezer; freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Adapted from a Molly Yeh recipe in "America the Great Cookbook: The Food We Make for the People We Love From 100 of Our Finest Chefs and Food Heroes," edited by Joe Yonan.

• 3 tbsp. unsalted butter

• 1 large yellow onion, chopped

• Kosher salt

• 6 tbsp. flour

• 3 c. whole milk

• About 1 tbsp. concentrated chicken bouillon

• 3/4 c. fresh or frozen peas

• 1/2 tsp. dried thyme

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 18 oz. frozen Tater Tots

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Sprinkle in the flour and stir to incorporate, then gradually pour in the milk while you are stirring, forming a sauce that is thickening. Then add the chicken bouillon base, peas, chicken pieces, dried thyme and a few grinds of pepper, stirring to blend well. Once the mixture begins to bubble at the edges, cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and add salt and/or pepper, as needed.

Transfer this filling mixture to an 8- by 11-inch baking dish or casserole with a 3-quart capacity. Use the Tater Tots to cover the surface of the hot dish, arranging them snugly and neatly. Bake (middle rack) for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Let cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories490Fat23 gSodium1,000 mg

Protein31 gCholesterol135 mgDietary fiber4 g

Serves 6.

Note: This dish comes together like a risotto — with lots of stirring — so it helps to have all the ingredients prepped and ready to go before you begin. Adapted from a Steven Satterfield recipe in "America the Great Cookbook: The Food We Make for the People We Love From 100 of Our Finest Chefs and Food Heroes," edited by Joe Yonan.

• 1 tbsp. unsalted butter

• 1 c. Carolina Gold rice or other aromatic long-grain rice, such as basmati

• 1 c. water

• 2 c. chicken broth, heated (may substitute pork or vegetable broth)

• 2 c. heavy cream, heated

• 1/4 c. finely chopped country ham

• 1 c. fresh or frozen peas

• 1 c. quartered radishes, plus rinsed and coarsely chopped radish leaves

• 1 to 2 tsp. kosher salt

Directions

Heat the butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Once its foam subsides, add the rice and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring, until the grains turn opaque.

Add the wine; cook until it has been absorbed, then add 1/4 cup of the water, stirring until that has been absorbed. Repeat the additions of water until it is all used.

Continue to alternate adding the remaining heated broth and cream 1/2 cup at a time, until they are all incorporated. Taste and add some or all the remaining salt, as needed. Garnish with the radish leaves; serve hot.

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories470Fat33 gSodium430 mg

Carbohydrates34 gSaturated fat20 gTotal sugars5 g