Leafy Greens

This is a great entrée for entertaining or for a special weeknight dinner for your family. Either way, no one except you will know how easy it is to make. And your secret is safe with us.

Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 10 min

The long noodles in this soup — representing longevity — are meant to be slurped up. In Chinese culture, cutting them would symbolize cutting one's life short. This recipe requires a whole chicken for its rich broth and makes double the quantity necessary. Reserve 1/2 cup stock for the Broccoli Spears in Garlic Sauce and freeze the remainder. After setting aside the breast meat for the soup, save the rest of the chicken for another dish. The reserved cilantro leaves can be used for the Steamed Striped Bass with Ginger and Scallions. Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 3 3/4 hr

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less, but requires additional unattended time.

Piled high, this easy pizza delivers all the flavor of the deli sandwich it resembles. The best accompaniments are, of course, potato salad, coleslaw and pickles.

The Pennsylvania Dutch settled in the places where they found the most black walnut trees. Toasted walnuts add crunch and flavor to this terrific salad.

A suitably named pasta salad that's loaded with flavorful ingredients. Try it with grilled veal chops or Cornish game hens.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Buy some pickles and a grilled mixed vegetable salad or a great potato salad to go with this quick main course. Complete the menu with cherry tarts à la mode.

The lively dressing lends a little zip to this fresh-tasting, colorful salad.

Skillet-toasted fresh breadcrumbs tossed with Parmesan cheese add crunch to this terrific side dish.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 15 min

Ribollita In leaner times, this hearty soup provided a delicious way for Tuscans to use their leftovers: Ribollita means "reboiled," and the soup was always eaten two days in a row. Plus, it was poured into the bowl over a slice of stale bread, which we recommend that you do, too. Begin making it two days ahead, and don't leave out the final drizzle of olive oil.

Radicchio di Treviso has long, narrow, pink-to-red leaves that are similar in taste to Belgian endive. It can be found in specialty food markets.

Also try the flavored mayonnaise on roast beef or ham sandwiches.