I have always had an internal conflict about vegetables and their role in the grand scheme of cuisine. I know vegetables are good for you, yet somehow the idea of a meal without meat seems like culinary heresy.

The onion rarely stands alone on the plate. Rather, its flavor and texture enhances the food it accompanies. The different types of onions have their own unique flavor profiles, from pungent Spanish onions to sweet Vidalias. Recipes: Apple-Onion Soup, Spinach Salad with Shallot-Sherry Vinaigrette, Goat Cheese Leek and Tomato Tarts