Lunch

Come springtime, sugar snap peas are so tender and fresh it's almost a shame to cook them. We prefer slicing them thinly and eating them raw with a simple dressing, like this creamy, tangy buttermilk one.

We call for semi-pearled grains because they cook more quickly and have a roughened-up texture that helps them soak up the dressing. Browning them first deepens their flavor.

For the best play between sweet, hot, and salty ingredients, look for spiky arugula, labeled "rocket" or "rucola," at the farmers' market. It's much more peppery and sturdy than what you’ll find at the supermarket.

Macerating red onions in balsamic vinegar with a big pinch of sugar helps soften the onions and sweetens them right up.

Don't expect your first pasqualina to look perfect. But it will taste absolutely amazing if you remember three key steps: don't sweat the crust, squeeze every drop of liquid out of the greens, and save your chard stems!

This side dish is so fast and easy, you can make a big batch and have it for the whole week. The simple marinade will fancy up any type of canned beans.

These perfectly crisp empanadas are stuffed with juicy, buttery shrimp that’s seasoned with cilantro and lemon zest. You can make the dough two days ahead so you’re ready to fry them up on New Year’s Eve.

There's no reason to make this savory fruit salad unless the peaches you have are worth celebrating or you can get your hands on some superb nectarines.

Swap in any kind of ground meat and any kind of vegetable for this saucy, clean-out-your-pantry rice noodle stir-fry.

This technique is nothing short of amazing—even if you're finicky about your pickles.

This big batch of tender roasted kale can be kept in the fridge and added to meals throughout the week. Toss it into salads and stir-fries, stir it into soups, or use it in a grain bowl.

Part of what makes this salad so great is the dynamic textures; the cracker-like baked lavash croutons and the crunchy cucumbers and radishes contrast with the creamy feta and soft herbs.

Refreshingly cold noodles, Vietnamese-spiced pork meatballs, and an array of toppings like fried shallots and crushed peanuts ensure this make-ahead dinner is totally unforgettable.

Cooked, puréed zucchini adds rich, creamy body to this easy, summery soup.

A day-old loaf of good bread can reach new heights when it's thick-cut and pan-fried in olive oil. We top these giant croutons with steamed clams or mussels, sink them into brothy soups, and crumble them over big salads. But this dish, a saucy little mix of beans, greens, and garlic, gives us a reason to look forward to Meatless Monday.

If you don’t have za'atar on hand, dried mint is equally delicious infused into hot oil.

Cucumbers are practically all water, so you gotta dress them like you mean it. This hot, sweet, and tart dressing will have them covered.

You can slice the cauliflower any direction you like, just be watchful of your fingertips on the mandoline and work over a bowl to catch all the bits of flying florets.