Summer

I often make a thick crème anglaise to serve with this compote, though it is delightful all on its own.

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

Whole-wheat pasta is a flavorful alternative to pasta made from white flour. The tan color is particularly attractive when set off by cheese-in this case ricotta salata or feta.

When you are topping a hot dog or hamburger with chili sauce, it is vital that the consistency be uniform — no meat chunks allowed — and it is traditional among the nations's hot dog chefs that the beef be nearly pulverized. If you cannot grind your own, see if you can have a butcher make an extra-fine grind for this recipe.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe was inspired by Laurie Colwin's tomato pie — which ran in the August 1992 issue of gourmet; James Beard has a similar recipe that we also love in American Cookery. Paired with a green salad, it's a great warm-weather lunch. The very thin biscuit crust sets it apart from the usual (pastry-crust) pies. Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 2 hr (includes cooling)

Serve this simple-to-prepare pasta with crusty bread and a glass of Italian rosé (called rosato) or Pinot Grigio.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Bruschetta — a rustic Italian canapé — is the perfect vehicle for the robust flavors of late summer. Serve these topped toasts as a first course or, with a salad and a glass of wine, as a light supper.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

"While my sister was visiting me, we had dinner at Asher Restaurant in nearby Roswell," writes Terry Taylor of Suwanee, Georgia. "She loved the meal — the rhubarb crisp with buttermilk ice cream in particular. I'd love to surprise her by making this dessert the next time she's in town."

The salmon can be grilled two ways. The first method requires a fish-grilling basket, which can be found at many cookware and barbecue stores (use one that's about 18 by 6 inches for this recipe). The second technique doesn't call for any special equipment at all — just a rimless baking sheet and a spatula.