A Thanksgiving meal wouldn't be complete without pumpkin, and here in Vermont we wouldn't dream of excluding our beloved maple syrup. We've combined the two in these elegant custards, featuring the best part of a pumpkin pie and saving calories for a luscious finish of real whipped cream. If you can find it, use Grade B dark amber syrup to get the best maple flavor.

If you can manage to save one, there’s nothing like a cold baked apple for breakfast, topped with a dollop of vanilla yogurt or served in a pool of fresh cold milk. The best part is the nut-and-fruit mixture nestled in the apple’s core. Don’t be surprised if the apples split a little—or sometimes even a lot—as they bake. It’s going to happen sooner or later. You can, however, increase the odds that it won’t if you use Golden Delicious apples. They may not be the most exotic apples around, but they have pretty good flavor and hold their shape better than most apples do in the oven. Another trick: score the apple along the circumference, as described below, to create a sort of fault line where it can expand, lessening the likelihood of a split elsewhere.

In about the time it takes to order and pick up Chinese takeout, you can make this much healthier version of sweet & sour chicken. Our version loses all the saturated fat that comes from deep-frying, along with the extra sugar and salt. If you prefer, use tofu instead of chicken, and use your favorite vegetables; just be sure to cut them into similar-size pieces so they all cook at about the same rate.

This lemon and dill vinaigrette is a natural complement to green beans. It's also great tossed with steamed asparagus or drizzled over sliced fresh tomatoes.

Yes, blueberries and pasta. The addition of poached chicken and feta cheese makes this dish into a light and satisfying summer supper that's also great for a potluck. If you already have some leftover chicken, skip Step 1 and add shredded chicken in Step 4.

Stuffed tomatoes are classic comfort food. Serve with a mixed green salad studded with garden-fresh vegetables. For vegetarians, omit the beef or turkey.

Fish tacos have become all the rage in recent years and are a specialty of the Pacific coast of Southern California and Mexico. This is a simple recipe: all the components can be made ahead of time and the fish grilled at the last moment. You can also use halibut, sea bass or tilapia in place of the salmon.

Cooking crumbled firm tofu in a skillet approximates the fluffy texture of scrambled eggs in this vegetable-studded, vegetarian main dish. Enjoy it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Serve with steamed corn tortillas, some extra salsa and black beans.

Peas and baby onions are harbingers of spring, the first sign that warm weather’s on its way. With turkey cutlets and a simple white wine sauce, they pair up in this flavorful dish that calls out for mashed roots or steamed asparagus on the side.

Sweet sun-dried tomatoes and tangy vinegar provide the perfect balance for broccoli rabe. Try it tossed with whole-wheat pasta and chickpeas or serve with roast chicken.