Cilantro

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Accompany the shrimp with grilled zucchini and yellow squash.

Quesillo en Salsa Verde If you arrive for breakfast at the refined La Olla Restaurant & Bar, head to the rooftop dining area, where you can survey the city as you dine in the shade of an umbrella. No matter what you order, be sure to try the cheese with green salsa, which is served with fresh, homemade tortillas. When you're done with your feast, you can walk to the historic Santo Domingo church or the zócalo (the central square). You can use more or less sugar, depending on the acidity of the tomatillos.

The delicately flavored fruit chayote is ubiquitous in the central highlands of Mexico. It varies greatly in size, ranges in color from white to dark green, and can have prickly or smooth skin. The variety most commonly available in the United States (also known as a vegetable pear or mirliton) has smooth, pale green skin that can be eaten but is sometimes removed.

I devised this dish for a benefit party to aid my husband's chamber music group, Clarion Concerts. It was the middle of August, in the heart of the corn season. Keeping up the tradition of Indian migrants the world over, I find myself adapting Indian spices and techniques to the best of American ingredients.

Sofrito is a sautéed vegetable mixture used as a seasoning in Spain, Italy and Latin America. This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Active time: 50 min Start to finish: 50 min

(Adapted from The Keeper's House) Charmoula is a Moroccan fish marinade traditionally made with tomatoes, lemon, paprika, garlic, cumin, and cilantro.

Look for Gold or Strawberry papayas. Their sweet flavor complements this tangy crab salad beautifully.

Ask the butcher to halve the Cornish game hens for you.

(Cold Avocado Soup)

<p>This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.</p> <p>This recipe is a super way to use up leftover white rice from Chinese takeout�or substitute <epi:recipeLink id"100911">Long-grain Rice</epi:recipeLink>.

Serve these patties over <epi:recipelink id="106530"">gingered noodle salad</epi:recipelink>.