Lettuce

White corn, cilantro and jalapeño chili give the classic Caesar a Texas accent.

If you can't find Cabrales cheese, substitute Roquefort or Danish blue cheese.

A pretty and refreshing composed salad that can be made using only one skillet.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

(MINESTRA DI CAMPAGNA) Creativity with simple ingredients is one of the themes of Sicilian cooking. There's no better example than this bean and vegetable soup, which some say evolved from food that fifteenth-century galley cooks made for mariners. Serve an island dry red wine such as Corvo with this.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Phyllo-wrapped goat cheese gives this salad served at Un Grand Café in Chicago, Illinois, an elegant touch.

Vinegar and mustard give the dressing in this salad an assertive flavor that contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the beets.

The traditional apple, walnut and chopped celery salad is updated with a yogurt and low-fat mayonnaise citrus dressing, pine nuts and Cajun seasoning.

This midsummer fare is adapted from a dish I enjoyed at 192, our favorite wine-bar-restaurant in London's Kensington: its inspiration is, I am sure, from Spain. You can buy a whole chunk of chorizo sausage — or a string of smaller ones — to slice yourself. Most good gourmet stores stock chorizo (mild or spicy), and many supermarkets do, too.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Chiles Anchos Rellenos de Atún con Papas This is more sweet than spicy, because the chiles are softened in brown sugar and vinegar before stuffing.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

(Warm Potato Goat-Cheese Salads with Thyme and Niçoise Olives)