Pilaf

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

In the South, this dish is called Limping Susan. To make the version known as Hoppin' John, add cooked black-eyed peas.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

There are generally two kinds of wheat berries available at natural foods stores and Middle Eastern markets: hard (high-protein) and soft (low-protein). Though either will work fine, we prefer the chewiness of the hard variety for this particular recipe. If you can find only soft wheat berries, subtract 10 minutes from the cooking time.

Add corn biscuits (you can find them in the supermarket refrigerator case) and a romaine, arugula, and radicchio salad with goat cheese. Coffee ice cream drizzled with Kahlúa is a nice dessert.

This would serve four as a vegetarian entrée.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Makes use of the microwave oven.

Orzo, a rice-shaped pasta, is sold at Italian markets and most supermarkets.