Simmer

Pho, the Vietnamese noodle soup, is traditionally made with long-cooked beef stock. Our quick version calls for deli sliced beef and canned beef broth instead.<

"The Forsgate Country Club, in nearby Jamesburg, offers a fabulous pasta dish with a creamy sauce that includes smoked chicken and wild mushrooms," writes Deborah Lee Fallon of East Brunswick, New Jersey. The chef makes this with smoked chicken; we use smoked turkey, which is easier to find.

Fresh orange juice always makes the best cranberry relish. Zest whole oranges before squeezing them for juice.

At Òran Mór, the ice cream comes in profiteroles surrounded by the sauce, but this lovely duo tastes terrific without that added touch, too.

Cooked meatballs can be purchased at many supermarket deli or meat departments. They make this dinner a snap to pull together. Toss a salad, then tuck chocolate wafers into scoops of orange sorbet for dessert.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 8 hr (includes steeping, chilling, and freezing)

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 20 min

This soup hails from Morocco.

This bean dip is a staple at Fresco — we use it instead of butter with our homemade breads. It will last 2 or 3 days in the refrigerator.

"My husband and I spent a weekend in Mendocino, and one evening out we were served a red pepper soup," says Leslie Cohen of Loomis, California. "Not being a red pepper aficionado, I was surprised at how delicious the soup was and vowed to replicate the recipe." Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

P> The secret to properly cooked Chinese-style rice, whether white or brown, is to first rinse the rice and then to avoid cooking it in too much water. For fried rice, the rice should be cooked until just tender to the bite.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 30 min

This is an interesting alternative to potatoes. For the best flavor, try to find low-sodium chicken broth or use half water and half broth.

Chai tea spices — ginger, cinnamon, cardamom — flavor this delicious pudding.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr