Food Processor

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Served with poppy seed scones at Sarabeth's Restaurant in New York.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Fresh spinach, sauteéd in oil with garlic, is pureed with sour cream and green onions to create this delicious dip. For a picnic, transport the dip and the vegetables in a cooler, or surround them with cold packs in the picnic basket.

A western twist on the old-fashioned pecan pie . California walnuts, dates and brandy give this pie its candy-bar flavor.

Begin preparing the cheesecake one day before you plan to serve it.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

(Russian Potato-and-Cabbage Turnovers)

(Spicy Chicken Crêpes)

Ciabatta is a wonderfully chewy classic Italian bread that is being rediscovered by specialty bakers around the country. Look for a rather wide, flat, flour-dusted bread, whether shaped into rolls or loaves. The rolls we used were 4- to 5-inch rectangles, but one or two ciabatta loaves would work equally well. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A rich and satisfying soup with great roasted tomato flavor. Put it into a wide-mouth thermos to o keep it cold for a picnic; it's also nice hot or at room temperature.