Summer

A favorite recipe of Duncan Hines from Still Cookin' After All These Years.

(Provençal Basil Sauce) Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This is a refreshing and fast adults-only dessert for any summer meal. Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 15 min

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

Serve this with chicken salad.

Perfect as a topper for steaks, burgers, pork chops, hot dogs and fries. For even more flavor, try brushing the tangy ketchup onto the meat during grilling. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Aioli, the garlicky Provençal mayonnaise, is accented with chives and Dijon mustard.

This pretty and refreshing soup - flavored with curry, cumin, ginger and garlic-is quick to prepare: Just put everything in the blender and puree it.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This lovely finale is from Dwayne Fortier of La Reserve in Houston. Begin preparing it well before serving, as the mousse needs to freeze for at least six hours.

Caramelized Fresh Fruit These crackly-coated fruits bring back childhood memories of candied apples. I've given the Roman recipe here; in Venice, where they're coated with a thicker layer of caramel, they are called golosezzi veneziani. Set aside about 1/2 hour for the caramelizing and finish the procedure no more than 1 1/2 hours before serving so that the fruit remains crisp.

A classic of the Balearic Islands, where lobster is found in abundance, this stew (known as caldereta) is intensely flavorful and fun to eat. Live lobster is essential, since the tomalley (liver) is a key ingredient. Serve the stew with plenty of crusty country-style bread.

Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 25 min

Margaritas Clásicas Mexican and Key limes are slightly sweeter than Persian limes (the standard supermarket variety). They can often be found at Latin American markets or at local farmers' markets. Melissa's sells them year-round by mail; to order, call 800-588-0151 or go to melissas.com. Make these Margaritas two at a time.

This recipe is an accompaniment for Yogurt Panna Cotta with Cherry and Peach Compote .