Weeknight Meals

Juana Vázquez-Gómez of Redondo Beach, California, writes: "Growing up in Cuernavaca, just outside Mexico City, I remember my grandmother cooking elaborate Mexican meals every day. My mother continued that tradition, but not in such an all-consuming manner. For her it was a great joy to plan a menu and then invite people to help with the preparation. "The women in my life taught me the beauty of a good meal. I still use many of their recipes today, but unlike my grandmother I don't spend an entire day in the kitchen. Fortunately, my husband and kids like to cook, so I've found a balance between my grandmother's time-intensive recipes and my mother's practicality. "

Personalize these pizzas after cooking them by adding your favorite toppings, such as prosciutto, basil, arugula, or roasted vegetables. Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 20 min

We adapted this from the recipe for Supper Onion Pie, in the "Savoury Pies" section of Nigella Lawson's _How to Be a Domestic Goddess._We played with the crust to make it lighter and substituted a yellow onion for the red ones (they turned an unappetizing mauve). We love the way Lawson's books are written—and agree she's got some great ideas—but we think you should know you may need to tinker with the recipes before they yield dishes that appeal to an American palate.

There are generally two kinds of wheat berries available at natural foods stores: hard (high-protein), which are reddish brown, and soft (low-protein), which are blond. We prefer the chewiness of the hard variety for this recipe. Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

In addition to assorted mustards, offer the pickled onions, tomato salsa, and pineapple relish. Hot dog buns can stand in for the pita, and bagged lettuce is an easy option. What to drink: Beer and lemonade will quench everyone's thirst.

An easy version of the famous Cobb salad.

Rosemary Leicht of Bethel, Ohio, writes: "I've been a finalist in the Pillsbury Bake-Off three times, so I'm something of an expert at cooking with prepared doughs and bread mixes. Even though these items are simple to use, many people don't venture beyond the package directions. For each contest, I experimented with dozens of recipes, and some of my favorites have been breakfast dishes and desserts. Nowadays I don't enter as many competitions as I used to, but my family still looks forward to my latest creations." A quick breakfast using prepared dough.

Elegant batons of carrots, parsnips, and rutabagas make a pretty presentation. Serve this alongside roast pork, beef, or lamb. Market tip: If carrots still have the tops attached, make sure they are bright green and fresh-looking. Choose cream-colored parsnips that taper gently; this makes it easier to cut uniform pieces. Medium-size rutabagas (about the size of a yellow onion) are best; larger ones can be woody.

Leave it to the Italians to come up with such a delectable, imaginative way to round out a meal. Literally "cooked bread," pancotto is the cold-weather counterpart of panzanella, Italy's summer bread salad. Use the pan drippings from the from beef tenderloin to add richness.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. In France many swear by cooking these carrots in the pure water of Vichy, said to best bring out the vegetable's delicate flavor, but in truth the dish is delicious made with good water of any origin.

Leaves of thyme combine with tomatoes to create an instant sauce in this dish. The foil-packet cooking method produces wonderfully flavorful juices; serve the fish over rice to savor every last drop.

A popular salad on the island of Pantelleria.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 30 min

Offer either brown or white rice and Asian beer, like Tsingtao. The chicken is especially tender because of the egg white and cornstarch coating.