Soup

Plantain Soup This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Rice sticks turn up in soups in many parts of Asia. This recipe was inspired by an aromatic soup offered at Bo Ky, a Vietnamese noodle parlor on Bayard Street in New York City.

Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 1 3/4 hr

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

"I literally didn't know how to boil an egg until I was in my 20s — when I tried to impress a guy by making dinner for him," writes Sally Siegel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. "I didn't have much success with the dinner or the guy, but I regrouped and put together a repertoire of fairly elegant dishes I felt confident making. Luckily, my husband, Loren, likes to cook as much as I do, so we really work as a team when we give dinner parties. We're both real estate agents, and we like to entertain clients — we've made some great friends by selling houses to them." Silky and light, this blender soup would make a delicate summer starter. Bonus: It comes together very quickly.

A thick, rich soup that's very satisfying on a cold day, especially with warm tortillas or biscuits alongside.

Country bread and a salad of thickly sliced tomatoes sprinkled with oil, vinegar and crumbled bacon complete the supper. Strawberry tarts make a lovely finale.

Builds a simple meal around this very easy soup; just adds cheese and fruit to complete the menu.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

At Erna’s Elderberry House the ravioli-like dumplings are prepared with homemade pasta, but wonton wrappers make an easy substitute.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.