Like spring pancakes, this dish originates from the Shandong province, but Chinese American chefs have adapted it to locally available ingredients. The Chinese version is made with pork, egg, bamboo shoots, day lily, wood ear mushrooms, and seasoned with soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger, while the Chinese American version replaces the cucumber and day lilies with cabbage and carrots.

The buckwheat crepe or “Galette” became common fare in the west of France (Brittany and surrounding areas) in the 14th century when depleted soils struggled to grow wheat (the name buckwheat is a misnomer; it’s actually a seed). Crepes are typically filled with sweet ingredients, but buckwheat’s grassy flavor lends itself particularly well to savory fillings. For something that looks and tastes so fancy, this is actually incredibly quick and simple to prepare.

I learned to make this apple tart from a French Chef in one of the first restaurants I worked in. It is simply made by turning some apples into applesauce, rolling out and blind baking a tart shell, filling it with the apple sauce, and topping with sliced apples for the bake.

Gumbo combines uniquely southern flavors and textures, starting with the holy trinity of creole cooking: bell peppers, onions, and celery, and thickened with brown roux and sweet, viscous okra. Traditionally, gumbo features fresh seafood and andouille sausage, but as with most stews, it is meant to be a catch-all for the best of what’s around. You can even make it vegetarian. Serve over long grain rice (especially Carolina Gold!) with a sprinkle of filé powder, and Tabasco, of course!