Olive

These enchiladas were inspired by Cuban picadillo, a mixture of meat (usually ground beef), onions, garlic, tomatoes, green olives, and raisins.

Mizuna (a Japanese salad green) is available spring through summer at specialty foods stores and Asian markets. If you can't find it, use mixed greens instead.

**What to drink:**A glass of bubbly would be perfect with the olives. Try Domaine Chandon Brut Classic (California, $20).

Why you'll make it: Because it's that dinner-party dish that's as do-able as it is drop-dead gorgeous. Call your meat market ahead to order a boned, butterflied leg of lamb, and ask that the thickness be as even as possible (two to three inches thick). Start the lamb the day before; it needs to be refrigerated overnight covered with the rub.

Why you'll make it: Because it's everything that's good at the market right now in one good-for-you salad.

For the best flavor, use very ripe tomatoes and don't refrigerate the sauce. Toss it with pasta, spoon it onto baguette slices, or use it as a topping for grilled chicken, seafood, or tri-tip.

The vegetables, along with the canned Italian tuna, in this colorful tossed salad create a positively satisfying meal. (Using an imported brand of tuna will make all the difference.)

• Filling can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring to room temperature before using. • Pissaladière strips can be baked 3 hours ahead and kept, uncovered, at room temperature.

Fattoush is a Middle Eastern take on panzanella, Italian bread salad. In fact, rustic Italian bread is a good alternative to the pita.

Studded with delectably nutty wheat berries, this substantial salad of charred tomatoes, peppers, and tofu truly deserves its billing as a main course.

Contrasting textures — crunchy salad and creamy chickpeas spread over freshly grilled pita — make this vegetarian meal something truly special.

Brie coats the rigatoni like a creamy pasta sauce.

This is delicious served either warm or at room temperature.

An unusual combination of flavors — sweet, savory, and briny.

For an even easier preparation, buy already-chopped onions and bell peppers; they're available at many supermarkets.

Protein-packed chickpeas and feta satisfy you for hours; bell pepper offers immunity-enhancing vitamin C.

Bagged salad mix gets dressed up with a tangy lime dressing, spicy serrano chile, and crunchy pepitas.