Coconut Milk

Home-style Caribbean fare is often accompanied by coconut rice, a wonderful side dish to temper the heat of spicy food. Pair it with the spicy okra for a simple and satisfying vegetarian meal. Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 35 min

If canned unsweetened coconut milk is not readily available in your area, you may substitute 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1 tablespoon sweetened flaked coconut. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 30 min Peas, noodles, beef—everything you need for dinner in one dish.

This is a great pasta dish to serve for company. Chances are good that you'll find the Asian ingredients— increasingly carried by everyday food shops—at your local supermarket. We used the Thai Kitchen brand, which is widely available.

This rich, silky soup has a touch of spice.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 20 min

Almost any type of seafood, meat, or vegetable is superb cooked in a sambal, the fiery spice mixture that is a mainstay of Malay cooking. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Here, lime juice replaces the traditional lemongrass, which can be hard to find. The result is a quick, authentic-tasting Thai-style soup. If coconut milk is unavailable, substitute 1 3/4 cups half and half mixed with 3/4 teaspoon imitation coconut extract.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.

Probably our favorite simple chicken recipe.

Be sure to accompany this with plenty of crusty bread to soak up the rich broth.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Salamander's chef, Stan Frankenthaler, combines mussels with spicy sausage and Thai flavorings, such as coconut milk and lime juice.

Curry dishes are usually served over rice, but pasta is a delicious change.

Serve this stew over rice or on its own as a soup. Either way, sprinkle lettuce with rice vinegar and oriental sesame oil for a light salad. Sliced blood oranges and holiday cookies will do nicely afterward.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. The coconut milk can be found in the Asian foods section of most supermarkets.