ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH, RED GRAPES, AND SAGE

An inventive new take on a classic fall side. What to drink: A fruity red with a nice acidity. Try: Keenan 2002 Merlot, Carneros, Napa ($25).

1 2 1/4-pound butternut squash, peeled, seeded, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups seedless red grapes (about 8 ounces)
1 medium onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh sage leaves
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine butternut squash, grapes, onion, and sage in large bowl. Drizzle with oil and melted butter. Season generously with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Spread out onto large rimmed baking sheet. Roast until squash and onion begin to brown, stirring occasionally, about 50 minutes. Transfer to platter, sprinkle with toasted pine nuts, and serve.Makes 4 to 6 servings.Bon AppétitOctober 2005

ALMOND-CRUSTED SHRIMP CAKES WITH LEMON SOY MAYONNAISE

For lemon soy mayonnaise
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce, or to taste

For shrimp cakes
1 bacon slice, chopped
3/4 lb large shrimp in shell (21 to 25 per lb), peeled and deveined
1 slice firm white sandwich bread
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup chopped scallions (about 4)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 teaspoons cornstarch
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups sliced almonds (6 oz)
3 tablespoons vegetable oil

Garnish: lemon wedges and fresh cilantro leaves

Make lemon soy mayonnaise:Stir together all mayonnaise ingredients in a small bowl. Chill until ready to serve.

Make shrimp cakes:Pulse chopped bacon in food processor until finely chopped. Pat shrimp dry, then add to bacon and pulse just until shrimp is coarsely chopped (do not purée). Soak bread in milk in a shallow bowl until very soft, about 30 seconds. Add wet bread to shrimp mixture, discarding any remaining milk, and pulse until just combined.

Transfer shrimp mixture to a bowl, then stir in scallions, cilantro, cornstarch, salt, sugar, and pepper until combined well.

Spread almonds on a large plate. Using a 1/4-cup measure, drop 1 mound of shrimp mixture onto almonds. Sprinkle almonds over shrimp mound to coat, gently pressing to form a (3 1/2-inch) cake (1/3 inch thick). Transfer cake to a wax-paper-lined baking sheet. Make 7 more cakes in same manner, transferring to baking sheet. Discard any remaining almonds.
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook 4 cakes, turning over once and rotating for even browning, until almonds are golden and cakes are just cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes total. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate and keep warm, loosely covered with foil. Discard any almonds left in skillet, then add remaining tablespoon oil and cook remaining 4 cakes in same manner. Serve warm, with lemon soy mayonnaise.

Makes 4 main-course or 8 first-course servings.GourmetQuick KitchenOctober 2005

Farmer's Pasta
Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Recipe SummaryDifficulty: Easy Prep
Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 8 servings

Butter, for greasing pan
2 tablespoons (or more) olive oil
6 ounces pancetta, chopped
4 teaspoons minced garlic
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
7 cups whole milk
8 ounces Fontina cheese, grated
4 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
6 ounces provolone cheese, grated
1 pound rigatoni pasta
3 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups fresh coarse bread crumbs
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Butter a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and saute until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a small bowl. Pour off all but 1/4 cup of the pan drippings (if necessary, add more oil to the pan drippings to equal 1/4 cup total). Reduce the heat to medium. Add 3 teaspoons of garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the flour and whisk for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, whisking often, about 5 minutes. Gradually whisk in all the Fontina, mozzarella, Parmesan, and provolone cheeses.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook until almost al dente, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes. (The pasta will continue cooking in the oven.) Drain pasta and add directly into the cheese. Add the parsley, basil, and pancetta and toss to coat. Season the pasta mixture, to taste, with salt and pepper. Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared dish.

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat. Add the bread crumbs and toss to coat. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the pasta mixture. Drizzle the top with extra-virgin olive oil and bake until the sauce bubbles and the bread crumbs are golden brown, about 20 minutes.