30 Minutes or Less

Extra milk makes these potatoes silky-smooth, and truffle oil adds luxurious flavor.

If you can't find fresh chervil, use fresh parsley instead.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 15 min

Easy sides would be a salad of mixed lettuces with balsamic vinaigrette, a whole wheat baguette and roasted baby potatoes. Finish with apple tarts.

An Asian treatment of chestnuts that will be right at home with all your side dishes.

Complete this one with cherry tomatoes, potato chips, and lemonade.

Add a glass of rosé and some crusty Italian bread to make a perfect summer lunch.

This dish is a wonderful combination of French and Indian flavors. Basmati rice and a green salad would round out the meal.

Active time: 5 minutes Start to finish: 5 minuts

Sichuan peppercorns are officially banned from import because they come from a plant that is susceptible to citrus canker. Although there's no substitute for their woodsy citrus flavor, the recipe is delicious without them. Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 30 min

This pizza is made with no toppings other than oil and salt and should be served as a snack. It's not really a cracker, but it's crisper than focaccia. Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 25 min

A gift from Native American cooks, hominy is dried, hulled corn kernels. Sold rehydrated in cans, it also makes a great addition to soups, stews, and casseroles.

Chef Jimmy Bradley's wonderfully simple combinations of texture and flavor at New York City's The Red Cat were the inspiration for this zucchini dish—it makes a great accompaniment to "lazy lasagne." Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 20 min

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 20 min

Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 10 min

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.