Garlic

This starter gets a double dose of cayenne — in the cornmeal coating for the shrimp and in the garlicky mayonnaise dip.

The perfect accompaniment to grilled fish, chicken or meat. Try cooked bell peppers, mushrooms and onions over the coals, too.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe originally accompanied Grilled Lamb Sandwiches with Grilled Onions . Two easy sauces from a single recipe: plain aioli here and one with red bell peppers .

For this recipe you may use whatever mushrooms you happen to have on hand. Serve the dish as an accompaniment to grilled or roasted meats, seafood, or chicken or with soup as a light lunch or dinner.

Sour cream can be substituted for the mascarpone, but the polenta won't be as rich.

"My profession as a real estate agent requires a lot of my time," writes Edi Meadows Morrissette of Westin, Florida, "so it helps that I am lightning-fast in the kitchen. I cook every day, and on the weekends I sometimes make three meals a day. I accomplish that by following my main cooking principles: (1) do a lot of prep work, and (2) keep the kitchen well stocked. For example, at holiday time I might chop onions in advance or bake bread the day before company arrives. And since I converted the bedroom next to my kitchen into a pantry for extra storage, I know I'll always have the right ingredients at my fingertips." Nice with drinks, soup, or salad. The cheese spread can be made a day ahead.

An Asian treatment of chestnuts that will be right at home with all your side dishes.

Active time: 1 3/4 hr Start to finish: 2 3/4 hr

The signature dish at Américas in Houston. Achiote paste adds earthy flavor and deep red color to the shrimp.

If your tomatoes are on the acidic side, add a little sugar to the sauce. Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 14 hr (includes chilling)

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.