Bon Appétit

To peel apricots, blanch about 20 seconds. Drain and rinse with cold water, then slip off the peels with a paring knife.

Here's a modern spin on blini, the buckwheat pancakes that are a classic for caviar. Also topping them with smoked salmon is a delightful way to gild the lily.

This cool indulgence is actually made with light cream cheese and low-fat sour cream. Begin preparing it the day before your party.

For this dip, based on the Mexican queso fundido, you will need to use a flameproof dish set over candles or Sterno to keep the cheese melted. Kevin Taylor, chef of Cafe Iguana, Denver, Colorado also offers guacamole with the chips.

Serve with Garlic Mashed Potatoes. You don't know where the fish ends and the potatoes begin in this beautiful and satisfying dish Chef Desmond, of Island Cottage on Hare Island in Ireland, uses turbot that comes from the waters off nearby Clear Island. We call for halibut, which is more readily available here.

Cunetto House of Pasta in St. Louis has an excellent grilled skewered chicken entrée. Sometimes I even make a special trip just to have it. Could you request the recipe? Georgeann King Memphis, Tennessee

Don't worry if you can't wait for this yummy cake to cool - it's also delicious warm.

A light texture and a sweet honey flavor make these bran muffins irresistible.

An Asian take on pasta salad. Soba, or Japanese buckwheat noodles, have a brown-gray color and nutty flavor.

Serve the fish with steamed rice and braised bok choy or Napa cabbage for an elegant and easy Asian-inspired dinner. Begin marinating the fish at least three hours before you plan to cook it.

Radicchio, curly endive, butter lettuce and arugula are perfectly blended in this simple salad and tossed with a lemony dressing. Chef Hearon suggests uncorking a crisp Ligurian white wine or a California Charbono.

These wholesome flapjacks are filled with the energy-boosting carbohydrates found in whole wheat flour and multigrain oatmeal. The fat is kept down by using low-fat cottage cheese, only two egg yolks and just two tablespoons of milk. To cook the pancakes, make sure to use a nonstick skillet brushed lightly with oil. Top them with the Peach and Berry Salad, and serve with reduced-fat sausages.

The classic appetizer incorporates sweet and luscious ingredients for a terrific dessert from ObaChine in Beverly Hills.

Mashed Yukon Gold potatoes, brussels sprouts tossed with slivered pimiento, and gingered baked apples are updates of American classics that would go well with this turkey twist on Salisbury steak.

Fresh, colorful and simple, this salad is the essence of summer. In the picnic basket, tuck a cold pack next to this dish to keep it at the right temperature.