Mint

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A refreshing dessert on its own or spooned over vanilla ice cream. This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

For accompaniments, buy your favorite potato salad and steam some zucchini. Have lemonade and brownies afterward.

A word of warning: I have a friend who at first refused to eat this dish because of its color, a wild, alarming fuschia. He complained that it did not look "natural." Since then he has been persuaded. The taste, he said, won him over. This is generally served at room temperature or chilled.

This recipe was created to accompany Cajun Shrimp Tacos with Tomatillo Salsa. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 1 3/4 hr (includes chilling time for syrup)

A few years ago, when I was in southeastern Turkey working on my book Mediterranean Grains and Greens, I noticed that the women didn't soak their bulgur in water for some summer preparations. When I asked a Turkish friend about this, she let out a laugh. "In Turkey, no man would marry a woman who just used water! For cold bulgur dishes we always soak in tomato juice, onion juice, or fresh pressed and strained sour grape juice to flavor the bulgur first."

Adapted from Mnemba Island Lodge

Moroccan Turkey Pie Traditionally, Moroccan b'stilla is a pie made with minced squab.

It's hard to improve on chocolate layer cake, but we think we've done just that, thanks to a hint of mint. Offer vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt alongside.

Though these bruschetta are a terrific first course for almost any meal. They'd actually make a great lunch as well—just think of them as open-faced sandwiches.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.

Carciofi alla Romana Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr