Gourmet

For crunchy greens (escarole and romaine), try this all-purpose dressing.

These lamb chops—an easier version of recipes you may have made before—go nicely with sugar snap peas with ginger and garlic and couscous with apricots .

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Instead of the usual corn bread or dinner rolls, try these crisp, cayenne-seasoned breadsticks. Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 2 3/4 hr

We love Marcella Hazan's "no-stirring" method for polenta — the following recipe is based on the one in her book Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking. It does require some stirring, but not the constant attention of traditional methods. Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 1 hr

(Egg, Pickle, and Caper Mayonnaise) Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 1 hr

Arrachera con Ajo y Limon a la Parrilla Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less, but requires additional unattended time.

The colorful mixed peppercorns found in bottles in many supermarkets aren't just decorative: They add a robust flavor to steaks as well as to thick-cut chops or cuts of meat suitable for roasting.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.