30 Minutes or Less

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 30 min

A sophisticated main course that's quick and easy to make. Accompany the fish with wild rice pilaf and steamed asparagus.

A creamy blend of ripe avocados, cucumbers, yogurt, lime juice—and a bit of jalapeño—make this soup bright, spicy, and satisfying. Have we mentioned it only takes ten minutes?

A nod to what could arguably be the dish of the eighties, blackened redfish. The technique works equally well with halibut.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Serve steamed rice, and drizzle oriental sesame oil and rice vinegar over blanched snow peas. Mango sorbet topped with sliced tropical fruits is the perfect finale.

Accompany this colorful dish with rice pilaf and baby peas with pearl onions. The kicker: spice bars and orange slices.

I was first tempted to serve these with a dollop of crème fraîche, or vanilla ice cream, but I resisted because I didn't want to dilute their flavor, and I was right to do so, for the balance of flavors is perfect. Muscovado sugar is a very dark, usually organic, unrefined sugar from Madagascar. If you can't find it, simply use dark brown sugar.

You can top the spinach parmesean custard with some broken-up frico for added crunch or simply enjoy them on the side. Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 30 min

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 25 min

This recipe is a wonderful way to prepare tofu as a main course; all it needs is a side of rice.

Bacon drippings add extra flavor to the dressing. Crumble some Gorgonzola cheese over the finished salad for even more punch. Serve with: Tomato soup with a dash of Tabasco and corn bread squares. Dessert: Brownies topped with coffee ice cream.

These vegetables would complement not only lamb chops but roast chicken as well.

The halibut is delicious with sautéed green beans and steamed new potatoes. End with espresso granita or ice cream with grappa.

If you can't find Thai anise basil and Thai lemon basil, you can substitute Italian basil and lemon balm (the latter is available at farmers markets and specialty produce stores).