Name: Onion and Fennel Bisque
Yield: Makes 12 servings
Ingredients: 2 leeks (white and pale green parts only), chopped (1 cup); 3 medium red onions, chopped (3 1/2 cups); 1/2 lb fennel bulb (sometimes called anise), stalks discarded and bulb cored and chopped (1 1/4 cups); 1 large garlic clove, minced; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1/4 cup dry white wine; 2 cups vegetable stock or low-sodium broth; 1 1/4 cups water; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg; 1 cup heavy cream; 2 teaspoons Pernod; Garnish: chopped fresh chives

Teri Carpenter of Albuquerque, New Mexico, writes: "On a trip to British Columbia, we dined at Blue Heron Inn, on Porpoise Bay, in Sechelt. They served a fabulous onion and fennel bisque. Could you get the chef to share the recipe with Gourmet?"

This bisque is so lush that demitasse cups make an ideal serving size.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 1 hr

Cooks' note:

Soup can be made 2 days ahead and cooled completely, uncovered, then chilled, covered. Reheat, adding more water if necessary to thin to desired consistency.

Recipe notes

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Okonomiyaki Tater Tots

Crispy tots topped with savory-sweet sauce, mayonnaise, furikake, scallion, and katsuobushi.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Sheet-Pan Chicken Souvlaki

Tender, juicy chicken skewers are possible in the oven—especially when roasted alongside spiced chickpeas and finished with fresh tomatoes and salty feta.

Mascarpone Cheesecake

An extra-silky filling (no water bath needed!) and a smooth sour cream topping make this the ultimate cheesecake.

Crispy Salmon With Avocado Sauce

You’ll want to put this creamy (but dairy-free) green sauce on everything and it’s particularly sublime under crispy-skinned salmon.