Corn

Traditionally, the tortillas are fried in oil until soft. We've omitted the oil by wrapping the tortillas in damp paper towels and heating them in the microwave. Serve the enchiladas with the Ranch Beans and Mexican rice with tomatoes and onions.

A Dijon mustard vinaigrette brings all the flavors together. If you can't find basmati rice, white long-grain rice is fine.

This pie is made from the overflowing bounty of the backyard garden. Fresh corn and zucchini seasoned with dill bake underneath Parmesan-crusted tomatoes to make a scrumptious entrée that can be served warm or at room temperature.

The vegetables can be prepared ahead and finished up to the middle of step 3. Heat for 5 minutes before serving.

When making this salad, which is lightly spiked with jalapeño pepper, have all the ingredients prepared ahead. Then just toss them together as close to serving time as possible to keep the flavors fresh.

Serve this terrific dish with crusty bread and soup spoons so that your guests can enjoy every last drop.

I devised this dish for a benefit party to aid my husband's chamber music group, Clarion Concerts. It was the middle of August, in the heart of the corn season. Keeping up the tradition of Indian migrants the world over, I find myself adapting Indian spices and techniques to the best of American ingredients.

The crust of this tart is tender and quite crumbly.

Spoon this Asian-inspired salsa over grilled tuna, swordfish, or salmon.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 30 min

Quinoa, though technically a seed in the herb category, has traditionally been considered a valuable member of the grain family. A sacred source of strength for the ancient Incas, it is enjoying as a new popularity here in the United States. The secret of the success of this salad is the steaming of the quinoa. (The traditonal cooking method for quinoa, boiling it in a measured amount of water, does not produce the light, fluffy texture that works so well in a salad.) This dish provides a complete protein and can stand alone as a luncheon or light supper entrée.