30 Minutes or Less
Fiesta Red Snapper
Green chilies and cilantro add some zip to this main course.
Stir-Fried Sugar Snap Peas with Chinese Sausage
There's no alternative to Chinese sausage—it's slightly sweet and very flavorful.
White Beans with Bacon and Endive
Team this hearty side dish with a pork or chicken entrée, or just add some crusty bread and make a meal out of it.
Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps
These wraps make for an informal and delightfully messy summer supper. Complete the meal with a rice salad from the deli (adding diced bell peppers and a splash of rice vinegar, if desired) and ice cream sprinkled with minced crystallized ginger.
Tapenade
Whether spread on sandwiches or served alongside roasts, this classic Provençal condiment of pummeled olives is always handy and delicious. However, it's during cocktail hour, when served simply with croutons, that people seem to love it best. A food processor replaces the traditional mortar and pestle for faster results. Refrigerate for up to a week.
Spaghetti with Butter, Parmesan, and Pepper
Ultra-rich and ready in a flash, this pasta dish just might be the ultimate comfort food.
Warm Cauliflower Salad
Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 25 min
Caesar Salad with Pepper-Grilled Tuna
A quintessential California pairing. Brush slices of sourdough bread with olive oil and grill (about two minutes per side) to serve alongside. What to drink: A crisp, dry white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc.
Creamy Tofu Salad
This looks and tastes like egg salad, even though it's made with tofu.
Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 20 min
Tagliatelle with Shredded Beets, Sour Cream, and Parsley
Sour cream and beets are inseparable in Eastern European cooking. Here's a fresh new way to enjoy them together.
Hot-and-Sour Coleslaw
Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 20 min
Buckwheat Pancakes with Smoked Salmon
This version of blini—a tribute to the Russian communities throughout the New York metropolitan area—is fast because it does not require yeast. If buckwheat flour is unavailable, whole-wheat flour makes a good substitute.
Potted Crab
In manor-house cooking, meat, poultry, and fish were preserved by being "potted" — minced and combined with seasonings, then packed in a container and covered with a layer of fat or butter. The fat was removed before serving, and the contents of the container spread on toasts or crackers.
Caesar Pasta Salad
Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 30 min
Antipasto Pasta Salad
Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 30 min