Citrus

Offer baked potatoes or garlic bread with dinner and watermelon for dessert.

The Mango and Red Onion Salsa is nice alongside this low-fat entreé.

Chili powder and chopped jalapeño add a touch of heat to this smooth appetizer. Try sprinkling it with chopped red onion for some crunch and color.

Offer this with Herbed Eggplant as a first course. Icy-cold ouzo is the perfect aperitif for the meal.

(GRANITA DI LIMONE) This Sicilian classic is churned on the eastern part of the island and stirred instead in the west. We have included instructions for both methods. The granita is (authentically) very tart. Most of us thought it was refreshing, but a couple of sweet-tooth types found it a bit too puckery. If you like your dessert on the sweeter side, increase the sugar to 1/2 cup.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Canned black beans with Caribbean seasoning save lots of time and effort. Whisk ground allspice into some bottled oil-and-vinegar dressing, and toss with mixed greens. Garnish the soup with yogurt and chopped red onions, and serve it with some sweet potato chips. To end, spoon sliced bananas and dark rum over coffee ice cream.

In its traditional form, this classic Lao soup is made with noodles rolled out and cut to order for each bowl. It is still excellent made with dried rice noodles. You can substitute fish, chicken, or pork for the beef, but rice noodles are an essential ingredient. The Lao like a considerable amount of lime juice in their food—here a range is given so that you can flavor the soup to your taste.

Active time: 15 min
Start to finish: 15 min

Capri, Italy This decadent flourless chocolate and almond cake originated on the island of Capri, where it's called torta Caprese.

The cumin really enhances this dish. Cook this spice with the onions to bring out its aroma. Lemon juice brightens the flavors while honey softens them.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Active time: 1 1/4 hr Start to finish: 2 3/4 hr (includes cooling)

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

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.<

You can start baking this beautiful cake two days ahead: Make the cake layers and the raspberry curd a day before assembling; then the completed cake can be refrigerated a day before serving.

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