Melon

Serve Champagne with this starter.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This salsa would also be great on chicken or pork.

This recipe yields more ginger syrup than you'll need for the fruit salad. Add a spoonful to a glass of club soda, sparkling water, or iced tea for a refreshing summer drink. Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 2 1/2 hr (includes chilling)

The cool sweetness of this soup is a particularly good match for the tangy grilled chicken with mustard-dill sauce. Serve it with extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling.

"I literally didn't know how to boil an egg until I was in my 20's — 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. Over the years, my cooking style has become more casual; I make dishes that are not too demanding, but still special for company."

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less, but requires additional unattended time.

Popsicle molds are sold at some drugstores and department stores.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.

You may combine various types of melon, if you wish.