Seafood

For a nice picnic, pack up this salad (chill it well first), some bread and wine.

Complete the menu with roasted potatoes, steamed spinach and butterscotch brownies.

If you can't find fresh sea scallops, use peeled large shrimp, leaving the tails on. Rice pilaf or orzo would be a good accompaniment.

Offer some fresh strawberries for dessert.

In this delicious dish from Asterix & Obelix, the orzo is toasted before it's cooked, giving the pasta a nice nutty flavor.

"I made this recipe in a cooking class I taught here in Vancouver, and the crowd was so pleased they gave me a standing ovation," says Sylvia Molnar of Vancouver, British Columbia. "It's a gorgeous dish that's even better served with lemon-scented rice or potatoes." Garnish with dill sprigs, if desired.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

These custards are inspired by the Japanese egg custard chawan mushi, made with dashi broth (a stock of dried kelp and dried bonito flakes). We've used chicken broth for simplicity, but any broth or stock that you have on hand will work fine. Steaming the custards gives them a delicate texture, which is enhanced by the spare use of solid ingredients (the shrimp, scallion, and mushrooms).

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 25 min