Farfalle

This vegetarian entrée makes an elegant and easy lunch. Serve with: Italian Pinot Grigio • arugula with balsamic vinaigrette • warm ciabatta • vanilla gelato topped with fresh strawberries

"I run a salon, and I’m an instructor at a cooking school," writes Sandy Ercolano of Ridgewood, New Jersey. "It seems that I’m always in the kitchen. At home I cook meals and come up with recipes for my classes. Of course, my family eagerly tries anything I make." To turn this main-course salad into a side dish or vegetarian entrée, omit the shrimp.

Meet your new picnic go-to. This tangy-coleslaw-meets-creamy-pasta-salad features a nutty sauce inspired by Japanese goma, or toasted sesame, dressing.

Revitalize day-old Thanksgiving turkey (and any leftover green beans and brussels sprouts while you’re at it) by turning it into this creamy mushroom-laden pasta dish.