Top 10 Culinary Arts Recipes - Week of Sept 8, 2008

"Pot roast" has got to be one of the great oxymorons of all time, right up there with "healthy tan" and "corporate culture." That's because pot roast isn't roasted at all — it's braised.

Braising is a moist-heat cooking method that slowly breaks down the tough connective tissues in cuts of meat such as beef chuck and brisket. It's a perfect dish for the cooler weather that's just around the corner. Here's more about braising:

• Moist-Heat Cooking
• Braising & Stewing
• Video: How to Make Pot Roast

This moist banana bread recipe helps put overripe bananas, that would otherwise be destined for the garbage, to good use, making it a great recipe for anyone who likes to be frugal. (It's also a great recipe for anyone who loves banana bread!)

Ratatouille is a traditional French vegetable dish made of eggplants, tomatoes and zucchini. Often served as a side dish with lamb and other meats or poultry, it also makes a hearty meal served over rice or couscous. And while this recipe calls for chicken broth or stock, it can be made with vegetable stock (see below), making it suitable for vegetarians or vegans.

These simple scones are light, flaky and buttery, and there are endless variations on this basic recipe. They're perfect for breakfasts, brunches, afternoon tea — and best of all, they're absolutely moist and delicious. Here are some more scone recipes you might like:

• Lemon Blueberry Scones
• Strawberry Almond Scones
• Cranberry Orange Scones

Making vegetable stock is quick compared with making stock from poultry or beef bones, but it's no less flavorful. This vegetable stock recipe only needs to simmer for 30 to 45 minutes to extract the maximum flavor.

Some dishes, like this classic Chicken Piccata, are popular all year long. Sweet onions, lemons and capers create the simple, tangy sauce that accompanies the fast-cooking boneless, skinless chicken cutlets.

This recipe for home fries features red potatoes, onions, and red and green bell peppers. Don't forget the bacon and eggs!

Spaghetti Carbonara is one of the most popular Italian pasta dishes. This version combines cream, eggs, cheese and bacon. The traditional Italian version omits the cream, but most people in the states are accustomed to having a bit of cream in their carbonara, so we're happy to oblige.

This Italian vinaigrette is made with extra virgin olive oil instead of salad oil, and features minced garlic, dried oregano and chopped parsley. Here are some more vinaigrettes for you to try:

• Basic Vinaigrette
• Herbed Vinaigrette
• Mustard Vinaigrette

Forget everything you think you know about tilapia and try this recipe. The bacon provides crunch and saltiness, grape tomatoes, capers and lemon juice give the dish its tanginess, and the caramelized red onions add sweetness and color.