Summer

Making one large shortcake is impressive and lot of fun — especially when chocolate is added to the basic combination.

This version of the French classic has only raw vegetables.

For extra eye appeal, use tricolor pasta in this fresh-from-the-garden salad.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This tart is a snap to put together, thanks to purchased puff pastry. The square shape is something different for the summer table.

Peaches are accented with honey in this fabulous home-style dessert. It's delicate, so slide a ten-inch-diameter tart pan bottom or the bottom of a ten-inch-diameter springform pan under the free-form tart to support it and make it easy to transfer.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Boiling the vinegar concentrates and sweetens it, so the dressing doesn't require as much oil to balance the acid. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

If you don't have tartlet pans, you can make one large shortcake in an eight-inch-diameter pan and then cut the cake into wedges.

Sugar cookies are the perfect accompaniment to this colorful finale.

If making more than 2 pies, do not double this recipe but make multiple batches.