Saute

Glazed turnips make a nice side dish for roasted meats or poultry. Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 35 min

(Pollo alla Diavola) This entrée, a specialty of Florence, can be found at restaurants throughout Tuscany. If you see alla diavola on an Italian menu, it means that dish will be slightly spicy. Chicken alla diavola is usually flattened, then blackened on a grill or under the broiler, but the same technique works well on the stove, too. This recipe uses game hens to stand in for the smaller chickens of Tuscany, and a heavy pot takes the place of the brick.

For a quick and satisfying after-work supper, team this tasty chicken dish with some cooked noodles that have been tossed with olive oil and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Poblano Strips with Onions and Cream Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Red, yellow and green bell peppers turn ordinary scrambled eggs into a colorful brunch entrée.

Like a traditional basil pesto, this sauce can also be mixed with pasta, stirred into soup for a lively accent or spread over grilled fish.

Button mushrooms would also be fine here. This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

We particularly liked this sandwich on slipper-shaped ciabatta bread, although any type of soft Italian bread is suitable.

Here is one of the most popular ways for cooking shrimp in Italy and throughout the Mediterranean. In American-Italian cuisine, this recipe would be referred to as "Shrimp Scampi," a curious title since scampi means shrimp, which means the name, literally translated, is "Shrimp Shrimp." Good Italian or French bread should always be served with this dish for sopping up the good garlicky sauce.

A real special-occasion entrée. Rich Muscovy duck breasts, sold at specialty foods stores, are larger and meatier than others.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A light, lemony sauce makes this entrée great for spring dinner parties. Round out the menu with the Chive Jive New Potatoes and Sesame Asparagus. Pour a slightly chilled full-bodied Chardonnay throughout the meal. Conclude the evening with angel food cake from the bakery and fresh berries.

This elegant but easy recipe is the perfect entrée for a romantic dinner. This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.