Make Ahead

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

In the following recipe we've added a North African twist to caponata, a versatile Italian eggplant concoction that is usually served as a salad or relish.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less; but requires additional sitting time.

Variations on the grilled chicken salad were everywhere in recent years. Likewise, balsamic vinegar dressings and marinades often turned up on menus, olivada (olive paste) became a pantry staple, packaged salad greens were popular convenience items, and fennel and radicchio became regulars in the produce bins.

The big bowl and tireless motor of a standing mixer take the heavy work out of preparing these tender brioche loaves.

Using a handheld blender to puree the soup right in the pot makes it easier to prepare. If the celery root is stringy, press the soup through a strainer.

You may add 1/4 cup of lemon juice to this jam, right at the end, to give it a tart edge that sets off the flavor of the strawberries.

Here, sliced fresh peaches and a rich brown sugar caramel sauce accent scoops of ginger-flavored frozen mousse. Margarita glasses make terrific sundae dishes.

Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 5 1/4 hr

Sue Ellison of Edgewater, Colorado, writes: "Although I play guitar and piano, and have worked for more than 20 years as an elementary-school music teacher, at this point music is just my job; cooking is my passion. It's an interest I share with my daughter, Hannah. We do a phenomenal amount of cooking together. In fact, I think she learned how to count using chocolate chips, standing on a stool next to me at the kitchen counter while I baked chocolate croissants." Roasted pine nuts add a southwestern accent to this lightly sweetened granola. Once the granola has cooled, leave it in large chunks for a snack or crumble it into bits for a cereal topping. Either way, it will keep up to one week if stored airtight.

This bread gets even better if stored for a day. Enjoy it toasted and buttered for breakfast.

The rice grains puff slightly during frying, making these crackers wonderfully light and crunchy. They are also a great alternative to croutons on soups as well as salads. This recipe is an accompaniment for Purslane, Meyer Lemon, and Pear Salad With Makrut Lime Vinaigrette and Jasmine Rice Crackers.

Serve the pesto with grilled or sautéed scallops, chicken, or fish. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Start the meal with gazpacho, then offer crusty bread, marinated green and black olives, and sangria with the salad. End with raspberries atop vanilla custards.

Begin preparing this a day before serving.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Red peppers provide color and almonds provide crunch in this easy-to-make recipe.