Maria Helm Sinskey

A most gratifying use for a gangly gourd, this silken butternut squash soup all but defines autumn.

Easy enough for everyday yet sufficiently elegant for anytime you need a little oomph, this honey-inflected walnut cake never disappoints. Ever.

A contemporary riff on an old-fashioned classic that has a perfect balance of spices and a pillowy texture and a gingery zing.

When it's Thanksgiving for just a few of you, your response is game hens with a sweetly tart and pleasingly peppery glaze and a lovely little pine nut bread stuffing. Makes just enough.

Sometimes it's a relief to take a respite from veggie side dishes that are overcomplicated to put together or overwrought with additional ingredients. Sometimes it's nice to simply revel in the innate goodness of the simplest incarnation of something.

Only subtly spicy, these pork chops take on an air of intrigue with their warming and evocative aroma and taste. Certain to spark conversation, if not seconds.