Citrus

You can make the lavender syrup and slice the berries ahead of time, but toss them together at the last minute. Any remaining lemon sugar can be used to sweeten espresso or tea.

You'll need an instant-read thermometer and a heavy-duty stand mixer with paddle attachment to make this brioche-like sweet bread.

To make the shortbread cookie crumbs for the crust, seal the cookies in a heavy plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into fine crumbs.

The red portions of rhubarb stalks make the best-looking pie, so buy extra and trim as needed.

This creamy, low-fat soup is packed with vitamins A and C.

These sweet-crisp cookies can be baked days ahead and, because the recipe is so generous, you can send your guests home with some.

This sherbet is the perfect ending to an Asian-themed meal.

We prefer wild salmon not only for ecological reasons but for its flavor, which is more mild than that of farm raised. Although limited varieties are available year-round, peak season begins in the spring, when the fish are caught en route to their spawning rivers.

The Ashkenazic and Sephardic traditions feature dishes with sweet-and-sour combinations such as honey and lemon. Serve this chicken with potatoes or matzo farfel, and you've got a great meal.

Bake the cheesecake at least one day ahead so that it has enough time to chill.

Low-fat, low-cal: Steaming helps preserve the flavor and nutrients of the fish without adding extra fat or calories.

If you're making this entire menu in a single oven, it's best to roast the potatoes while the pork loin stands (increase the oven temperature as soon as the pork comes out).

The creamiest, most intense chocolate pudding you'll ever taste.

These little scallop-shaped cakes are a classic teatime treat in France.

This side would be delicious with roasted chicken or broiled halibut.

Boneless chicken thighs give a moist result, but chicken breasts work well, too. Mix wild mushrooms with cultivated button mushrooms for a deeper flavor. Goes great with: Mashed potatoes flecked with chopped fresh parsley or tarragon. What to drink: Chardonnay or Merlot.