Summer

Make the cake a day ahead so that it has plenty of time to chill.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A rich side dish for pork or lamb chops.

Fresh-tasting and colorful, this salad would go well with pizza bianca or calzones. It would also be delicious tossed with penne for a quick pasta salad.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Brush thin slices of potato with olive oil, then grill them beside the steaks. Also serve a spinach and red onion salad with creamy ranch dressing. New York-style cheesecake is the perfect dessert.

(PROSCIUTTO E MELONE) The delicate pink cured ham from the hills of the province of Parma is one of Emilia's most important products. Purists insist it should be served on its own or with a slice of bread, but others enjoy it with melon, figs or pears; the sweetness of the fruit sets off the prosciutto's salty tinge perfectly. This simple dish is a classic example. Pour a dry white Albana di Romagna or Trebbiano di Romagna. If you can't find one of those, go for a Verdicchio from the neighboring region of the Marches.

Try this fresh, no-cook chutney with grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or lamb burgers.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

"I literally didn't know how to boil an egg until I was in my 20s — when I tried to impress a guy by making dinner for him," writes Sally Siegel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. "I didn't have much success with the dinner or the guy, but I regrouped and put together a repertoire of fairly elegant dishes I felt confident making. Luckily, my husband, Loren, likes to cook as much as I do, so we really work as a team when we give dinner parties. We're both real estate agents, and we like to entertain clients — we've made some great friends by selling houses to them." Silky and light, this blender soup would make a delicate summer starter. Bonus: It comes together very quickly.