Orzo

Sugar snap peas, cucumber, tomatoes, green onions, parsley and mint combine with orzo pasta for a lovely warm-weather salad.

Orzo--the small rice-shaped pasta used here--is available at Italian markets and most supermarkets.

Serve this pilaf-like dish with mango chutney and cold yogurt.

"The recipes here reflect my British roots, but not necessarily my family traditions," writes Mairi Morrison of London, England. "Although my mother is from Scotland and my father is from Northern Ireland, I grew up in Los Angeles, where our weeknight meals were typically American: spaghetti, tacos, and burgers. It wasn't until I moved to Europe that I became really interested in food. Here in London my social life is centered around the table. I really like this dish because it is typically British, and perfect for a rainy winter evening in London." A nice side with lamb, chicken or fish dishes.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Paulette Sexton of Tustin, California, writes: "Although I've loved to cook since I was a kid, I didn't really hone my kitchen skills until my husband and I started entertaining frequently. When we were first married, we had dinner parties several times a week — it got to the point where people would call me around 4:30 in the afternoon and ask, 'What's for dinner?' We're still having people over and we're still informal, especially in the summer. Everyone sits around the large island in our kitchen, drinking wine and eating appetizers. Usually there's grilled chicken or fish or a simple main-course salad for dinner. It's our favorite menu."

Check out your local farmers' market for the best selection of heirloom tomatoes and use them within a few days.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Orzo—rice shaped pasta—is easier to find than Arborio rice (the traditional ingredient in risotto) and makes a delicious risotto-style side dish.

In this preparation, orzo is treated like risotto, which produces richer flavors and a creamier texture — with almost no stirring.

A nice side dish for grilled fish or lamb.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.