Fish

Preserved tuna, packed in extra-virgin olive oil, is paired with white beans in Tuscany, a speedy dish to assemble if you've got beans on hand. Canned beans work well and simplify this preparation — open a few cans and chop an onion. Quality tuna makes a big difference in the success of this dish. Leftover grilled or poached tuna can be used instead of canned, but it should be marinated in extra-virgin olive oil. All choices will work better than insipid tuna packed in water. Scallions can be used in the spring, red onions for the rest of the year. Torquato, my farmer and muse, suggested combining green beans with tuna during his glorious green-bean season, a fantastic variation.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Fish cakes make festive party fare. They're especially good when complemented with a cool, colorful and crunchy cucumber, radish and cilantro salsa.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but may required additional sitting time. Be sure to lightly oil the grill rack again so that it doesn’t stick.

The traditional dish of Trapani.

If you’re in the mood for an Asian-inspired meal, serve this fish with the pickled cucumber and cabbage.

Rouget, or red mullet, is renowned in the Mediterranean for its delicate flavor. It is increasingly available here in the U.S. (Incidentally, the fish is not a true mullet but is a member of another piscine family.) We loved the commingling of flavors that resulted when we put this concoction on a bed of zucchini potato lemon-thyme mash .

This savory, French-inspired dish is also delicious made with mussels instead of, or in addition to, the clams. Either way, it's good with crusty bread to soak up the broth, and a glass of spicy white wine.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Trimming the artichokes for this recipe takes a bit of skill but gets easier with each one. Once you have mastered the technique, you'll find this dish is actually quite simple. Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 1 hr

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Our technique videos will show you how to fillet fish and make beurre blanc.

Mint and capers grow everywhere on Sicily, and anchovies are always available. Here they enhance another island crop: artichokes.

For dinner in a matter of minutes, try this Mediterranean-flavored main course.

This simple preparation can be made with any firm white fish.

The bright green of the fried asparagus with the yellow egg sauce and the orange salmon roe topping makes a colorful display.

Whether they feature shellfish, smoked fish or fresh fish, chowders are an essential part of New England cooking. Ours is prepared with a mixture of fresh cod, haddock and halibut, three important North Atlantic ocean varieties. We've made the surprising addition of butternut squash and kale--both popular regional vegetables--to this hearty soup for extra color and texture. Curry powder lends an unexpected bit of spice.