Chicken Breast

The term panéed means "panfried" in the New Orleans culinary lexicon. This recipe is from that city's Gabrielle Restaurant.

The ginger, coconut milk, curry paste, basil and cilantro in this are often used in Southeast Asian curries. Sautéing the chicken strips in olive oil adds a Western touch. For a nice finale, serve mango sorbet with canned lychees, small Chinese fruits available in the Asian foods section of many supermarkets.

The chicken is cooked with onions, lemon and dill, then spooned onto warm pita bread rounds and topped with a yogurt sauce. Then the sides of the bread are folded up and the sandwich is eaten like a taco.

A fresh-tasting main-course salad.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

In India, chicken is one of the most popular foods cooked in the tandoor, the ubiquitous clay oven. The secret to the bird's distinctive taste and tender texture is a yogurt marinade enhanced with spices. Here we pour one over chicken breasts, which are cooked on a grill. The chicken is served on toasted bread spread with a mayonnaise spiked with mint, cilantro and chili, flavors common in Indian relishes. Try to find Indian beer such as Taj Mahal or Kingfisher to go along with the meal. Offer fresh mangoes for dessert.

A little bit of feta cheese goes a long way in the tangy marinade for this dish.

Spoon this over rice noodles or linguine, and have a crisp coleslaw of bean sprouts, shredded cabbage and slivered red bell pepper alongside. To finish, drizzle white rum over fresh pineapple and banana chunks. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A homey yet sophisticated soup that's great for casual entertaining.

Dorothy Duder North Hollywood, California

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

(Spicy Chicken Broth with Chicken, Vegetables, and Chick-Peas)

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.