No-Cook

Put a slice of this butter on any grilled or panfried meat or fish, or slather it on warm corn bread. Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 45 min

A composed salad that features all the bright and pretty colors of the season.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 30 min

A creamy blend of ripe avocados, cucumbers, yogurt, lime juice—and a bit of jalapeño—make this soup bright, spicy, and satisfying. Have we mentioned it only takes ten minutes?

Franklin serves this dish like a green salad, but it's also

Smoked duck adds elegance to this salad. Smoked turkey would also work well.

Serve with crusty bread to sop up the juices.

Serve with minted iced tea and tabbouleh, then offer baklava and cherries for dessert.

Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 45 min

So good — and no cooking required. Prepare the relish at least a day ahead, and add more cardamom before serving if you'd like a stronger flavor.

"In our family," writes Georgia I. Chletcos of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, "we have a saying that the Greek kitchen is the original twenty-four-hour diner: It never closes. And being from a Greek family, I can say unequivocally that food is the center of our lives. As I've gotten older, preserving this tradition has become more important to me, so I've started experimenting with family recipes, including this one." Enough for a large family and guests, too.

The classic Andalusian gazpacho is found all over the region with surprisingly few variations, except for the addition of cucumber and onion—ingredients that have fallen out of favor with chefs who prefer to allow the pure taste of the tomatoes, Sherry vinegar, and olive oil to shine through.

Use red or yellow watermelon (or both) for this summery dessert, and pair it with the best store-bought brownies you can find.

"Out of necessity, I've developed a love for quick cooking," writes Judy Wilkins of Tyler, Texas. "Between my musician's hours (nights and weekends as an accompanist for local choral groups) and teacher's hours (daytime piano lessons), my schedule can be nuts. When I do have the chance to cook dinner on a weeknight, whatever I make can't take too long — and it has to taste great."

This light, refreshing salad is from Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix.

In Italy, coffee granita is served in tall glasses filled halfway with granita and topped with whipped cream. We've added some white chocolate and anise-flavored liqueur.

This slaw would pair nicely with grilled chicken breasts or roasted chicken.