Chicken Breast

Complete the main course with buttered sweet potato chunks (they can roast alongside the chicken) and sautéed Swiss chard. Serve purchased éclairs for dessert.

An adaptation of a recipe from Mexican Light Cooking by our friend Kathi Long, a chef and author in Santa Fe.

Since this exotic dish has a very flavorful sauce, serve it with couscous or rice.

This chicken is nice for an outdoor meal — grill some corn alongside, and set out a bowl of coleslaw. Or broil the chicken, boil the corn, and serve it all indoors. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less, but requires additional unattended time.

Begin with melon slices and prosciutto; alongside the soup, serve baguette slices with a garlic and herb cheese spread, then offer macaroons and apricots afterward.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

The Mango and Red Onion Salsa is nice alongside this low-fat entreé.

Great with egg noodles or mashed potatoes.

This comforting dish is infused with the flavors of a traditional bouquet garni enhanced by celery leaves, and the filling of the pie is more brothy than that of most versions.

The wasabi powder, which can be found in the spice aisle or Asian foods section of most supermarkets, gives the crust a spicy kick. Serve with: Packaged Asian rice pilaf enlivened with a bit of lemon peel, and green beans sprinkled with sesame seeds. Dessert: Tapioca pudding.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 1 hr