This recipe is for the polenta novice. Two ingredients - polenta and water. So if you can boil water ...you can make a fabulous pot of polenta. Every time!

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Often thought of as "restaurant food," risotto is actually a versatile, delicious and simple Italian dish to make at home.

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Brown Rice and Vegetable Risotto

Submitted by: Carla

Living In: Los Angeles, California, USA

Short-grain brown rice stands in for the usual arborio in this hearty vegetarian risotto, which is worth the wait! Feel free to adapt the recipe according to whatever seasonal produce is available to you.

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Creamy Garlic and Onion Spaghetti

Submitted by: j2white

Simple, flavorful, and easy, this side dish of spaghetti served with an onion-cream sauce flavored with white wine will add a gourmet touch to any meal.

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Sweet Potato Gnudi with Sage Butter

Submitted by: Cazuela

Living In: Seattle, Washington, USA

'Gnudi' (or 'naked' ravioli without a pasta jacket) are tender dumplings simmered like gnocchi and, when made with sweet potatoes and finished in sage butter, present beautifully for a delicious autumn dish.

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Gourmet Mushroom Risotto

Submitted by: MYLEEN

Home Town: Houston, Texas, USA

Living In: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

This authentic Italian-style risotto is cooked the slow, painful way, but it's oh so worth it. It's the perfect complement for grilled meats and chicken dishes.

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Hearts of Palm Risotto

Submitted by: Patricia Scarpin

Home Town: São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

This lovely, vegetarian risotto contains sliced heart of palm for a delicious, subtle change from the norm.

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Creamy Garlic and Onion Spaghetti

Submitted by: j2white

Simple, flavorful, and easy, this side dish of spaghetti served with an onion-cream sauce flavored with white wine will add a gourmet touch to any meal.

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These Italian cookies are baked twice: once as a log, and again as individual slices. With their crunchy texture and wand-like shape, biscotti just beg to be dunked.