Dill

This pie is made from the overflowing bounty of the backyard garden. Fresh corn and zucchini seasoned with dill bake underneath Parmesan-crusted tomatoes to make a scrumptious entrée that can be served warm or at room temperature.

It seems that we're always agreeing to bring a big salad to an informal dinner party only to discover, too late, that there's no time to make a last-minute salad. No one would guess that this wonderfully fresh salad started its journey to dinner two days earlier — in fact, it requires that extra time to mellow its flavors. It's a very portable salad that can sit for hours at room temperature with no ill effects.

We like making our own pickled beets with spices and herbs that give these sandwiches a true Scandinavian flavor. You can, however, use bottled pickled beets if you don't have two days for marinating.

This easy—to—make soup is a terrific Saturday lunch, especially when accompanied by crusty bread, a salad and beer or apple cider. If you're serving people who don't like spicy foods, eliminate the cayenne pepper.

A specialty of chef Eileen Joyce. This is as deliciously simple as fresh fish gets.

Though called the Pennsylvania Dutch, Lancaster's natives come from German stock and treat the cabbage with respect. Dishes like this one are first served during the harvest season and enjoyed all winter long.

A quick yet elegant pasta dish.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

My mother always made wonderful side dishes — and made them look so easy. Indeed, they were! A few fresh vegetables, great herbs, a little mustard or vinegar, and kosher salt were all it took for her to make something taste like it came right from the garden. Here's her incredibly simple recipe for coleslaw — a step removed from traditional recipes that are typically bland and smothered in mayonnaise, this slaw is sharp and crunchy and great with salads, roast meats, and sandwiches.

Two mustards mellowed with honey and yogurt make a terrific sauce for chicken — or even fish or pork. This is an ideal warm-weather dish because the sauce does't require cooking. Try boiled new potatoes on the side. Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 25 min

Stephen Bull is one of the wunderkinder of new British cooking. At his latest venture, Fulham Road in London, his Irish chef, Richard Corrigan, serves this dish along with his rendition of beef bavarois.

Try these alongside egg dishes at brunch or with soup and salad for lunch.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Saltines and a salad of romaine, spinach and red bell peppers tossed with vinaigrette are all that’s needed to complete the entrée. Boston cream pie is just right for dessert.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

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

Wisconsin cheddar stars in these flavorful and easy-to-make biscuits.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 40 min

The long cooking time makes this lamb meltingly tender. Offer noodles alongside.

This entrée from Chateau Lake Louise at Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada, would be perfect for a dinner party. The fish is especially good accompanied by broiled red onion slices and steamed asparagus. To make this even easier, have the salmon skinned and boned at the fish market.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.