Summer

"Michael Kornick's hip mk restaurant in Chicago has quickly become one of my favorite places for a special dinner," writes Thien Sylora of Chicago, Illinois. "I had a terrific gazpacho there."

This salad, crunchy with red pepper and fennel, pairs well with the broiled trout or with grilled lamb or chicken.

Make oatmeal-cookie crumbs by blending cookies in a processor until finely ground.

Strawberries marinated in a vanilla-orange syrup add a new twist to these sponge-cake shortcakes. Active time: 1 hr Start to finish : 2 1/2 hr

We love this dish on its own, but a sprinkling of Parmigiano Reggiano and fresh basil can be a nice addition. If you can get fresh ricotta, by all means use it here.

This recipe is an accompaniment for Vanilla-Citrus Tea Ring . Any remaining compote would be great for breakfast or dessert with a spoonful of yogurt or crème fraîche.

Chlodnik Polish cooks serve this soup (pronounced "hu-WOHD-neek") as a cooling first course for summer meals. It's a delicious alternative to gazpacho.

Jerk seasoning — here a spicy blend of garlic, onion, chiles, thyme, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon, though recipes vary — originated in Jamaica and is traditionally used on pork and chicken. Because the jerk marinade can burn easily, the chicken requires slow cooking on the grill, which also helps keep the meat moist.

We love these tarts made with Italian prune plums—small oval plums that turn up at the market from late August until mid-October. These meaty plums have a rich purple-red color and hold their shape well when baked. Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 3 hr

This breakfast treat is from Migis Lodge.

The sauce is reminiscent of that sentimental summertime favorite, the 50/50 Bar.

If you bake the shortbread cookies ahead, these lovely individual tarts, topped with fresh berries and glazed with jelly, can be ready in minutes. An empty eight-ounce can of crushed pineapple makes a convenient cutter for the cookies. Serve some lightly whipped cream on the side, if you like.

If you can't find heirloom tomatoes near you, this salad would also be delicious with any ripe tomato from garden or market.

Serve with: Fresh sugar snap peas, grape tomato salad, and dinner rolls.