5 Ingredients or Fewer

Tomato gratin or potato, red pepper, and fennel salad would make a terrific accompaniment to the fish.

(Tarte Renversée Caramélisée aux Abricots) This terrific dessert is similar to a classic apple-based tarte Tatin.

How do you spot a Yankee at Mrs. Wilkes'? He motions toward the turnip greens and says, "Please pass the spinach."

The flavors of gremolata — the garnish of finely chopped lemon peel, parsley, and garlic that traditionally tops osso buco — are terrific with asparagus. The asparagus can be blanched and chilled one day ahead.

This dessert was inspired by the time-honored tradition of serving gingerbread with lemon sauce — the tang of lemon cuts the richness of molasses.

This couscous with coriander seeds and apricots is a nice alternative to rice. Try it with roasted chicken or vegetables.

The simplest of preparations and a sprinkling of fleur de sel — a delicate sea salt — are the only enhancements these naturally crisp sweet peas need. Fleur de sel is sold at cookware stores, specialty foods stores, and some supermarkets.

The fabulous texture and perfect balance of coffee and brandy flavors in the custard are enhanced with a crunchy brown-sugar topping. Bake the custards a day ahead so that they chill fully before the topping is broiled.

Provide knives so your guests can slice the sections into individual ribs. Have lots of damp paper towels on hand.

Serve with: Rice pilaf and a salad of red-leaf lettuce with rice wine vinaigrette. Dessert: Grilled pineapple and vanilla ice cream.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 20 min

This recipe originally accompanied Madame Quiche's Quiche Au Fromage . This pastry is short, buttery, and wonderfully easy to put together. I make it in the food processor, for the less it is touched by warm hands, the shorter and flakier it will be. Be sure to let the pastry rest at least one hour at room temperature, so it is easy to roll out, then chill it before baking.