Mint

For a picnic, we love this soup chilled, but it's just as delicious served hot.

This golden curry cooks quickly, so the vegetables are just tender. A flourish of mint adds the final spark.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 30 min

Serve this sauce with roasted meat, fish, or chicken. Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 20 min

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 3 1/2 hr (includes freezing)

These powerfully seasoned chicken breasts grill up smoky and moist. Serve with minted iced tea and Asian beers. For dessert, offer mango sorbet with pineapple.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A quick vegetarian main-course salad.

Cool and refreshing yogurt enhanced with fresh mint, cilantro and basil tops this hearty curry-flavored soup.

This recipe was created to accompany <epirecipelink id="14062">Frozen Lemon Mousses</epirecipelink>. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

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

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A refreshing dessert on its own or spooned over vanilla ice cream. This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

For accompaniments, buy your favorite potato salad and steam some zucchini. Have lemonade and brownies afterward.

A word of warning: I have a friend who at first refused to eat this dish because of its color, a wild, alarming fuschia. He complained that it did not look "natural." Since then he has been persuaded. The taste, he said, won him over. This is generally served at room temperature or chilled.

This recipe was created to accompany Cajun Shrimp Tacos with Tomatillo Salsa. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.