5 Ingredients or Fewer

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Kombu comes packaged in dried lengths that are most easily cut with scissors.

(Schiacciata) Originally cooked in the ashes of the hearth, schiacciata, which means "squashed," is usually about an inch thick. Variations of the bread are made throughout Italy; Tuscans simply brush it with olive oil and sprinkle it with salt. Sometimes they add herbs or make a sweet version with grapes and sugar. Remember that bread doughs can have different consistencies depending on the climate: This one should be soft, but not too sticky. Add more flour if it feels too wet.

"By adding a little espresso powder to a recipe for caramel sauce, I created an ice cream topping that has made this sundae the signature dessert in my house I had always refused to share the recipe with friends who requested it, but I finally decided that it's too good to keep secret," says Gordon Finley of Durham, North Carolina. These are terrific made with coffee or vanilla ice cream — or both.

If rice pudding is getting a little too comfortable, try our version with fresh pineapple, mango, and papaya. Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 30 min

For ease, use the peeled baby carrots sold in plastic bags in the produce section of most supermarkets.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 15 min A wonderfully versatile salad that can be served with almost any main course. The vinaigrette is zesty and fresh, yet it's mild enough to work well with a variety of flavors.

This southern-style omelet would go nicely with sautéed plum tomatoes and warm corn bread. Dessert can be butter pecan ice cream drizzled with bourbon.

Just a few short years ago, crème brûlée was found only in four-star French retaurants. Now almost everybody makes one using a favorite and often exotic flavoring. This ice-cold custard with the crackling sugar top is the most popular dessert at my restaurant. So much so that I sometimes think it is the only dessert I should make. Perhaps it is the ease of preparation that makes me think so!

Use any mixture of berries in this simple, quick compote. It tastes great with the <a>raspberry torte</a> and over ice cream or pound cake. Active time: 5 min Start to finish: 5 min

(Thai Sticky Rice) If you have never tried sticky rice, you are in for a unique treat. Thai sticky rice, sometimes called "sweet rice" or "glutinous rice," is opaque-white when raw, unlike most other rices, and when cooked has a wonderful scent and distinctive texture. Make sure to buy long-grain Thai sticky rice, not the Chinese-style short-grain or the kind grown in the Untied States, which lack the aroma and texture of the Thai variety. On the label look for the words pin kao or gao nep. There are a few options for steaming sticky rice: If you live near a Thai, Lao, or Vietnamese market, chances are it sells the large, conical baskets used for cooking sticky rice as well as the lightweight pot the basket rests in as the rice steams. Otherwise, use a large sieve lined with cheesecloth or muslin and put it over a large kettle of water In Thailand and Laos, cooked sticky rice is kept warm and moist during the meal by serving it in small covered baskets, which can also be found in some Southeast Asian markets. This recipe was created to accompany Grilled Beef Salad , Charred Chili Salsa , Thai Grilled Chicken , Thai Eggplant Salad and Chicken Stir-Fry with Holy Basil .

(Hot and Sweet Dipping Sauce)<P> This sauce is also delicious with grilled pork or lamb.<P> This recipe was created to accompany <epi:recipeLink ="14426">Thai Grilled Chicken</epi:recipeLink>.<P> Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Dried cherries and fresh cranberries pair beautifully. Cloves are a festive touch.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.