Mozzarella

These are great for a picnic. They taste even better when made a few hours ahead, which allows the flavors to blend.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 25 min

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Begin the meal with chilled canned vichyssoise sprinkled with chopped fresh chives. A bowl of marinated green and black olives goes well with the salad, and a compote of the season's best fruits — berries, melon and peaches — is a nice finish.

Uncork a bottle of hearty Chianti to go with the great Italian flavors in this new twist on a traditional tomato-sauced pizza.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. In this recipe hot pasta is tossed with an uncooked sauce of oil, herbs, a little vinegar, mozzarella, and raw garlic. The pasta absorbs some of the vinegar and oil and slightly melts the mozzarella. We call for bocconcini — bite-size pieces of mozzarella — but regular fresh mozzarella cut into 1/2-inch cubes would work just as well. Tip: When incorporating raw garlic into a dish such as this, buy the freshest garlic you can find. The cloves should be dry and tightly packed together, and they should feel firm. Old garlic may impart a bitter, strong flavor — overwhelming the other components.

Alexis Walker of Corvallis, Oregon, writes: "After many attempts to get a reservation, we finally succeeded in dining at Genoa restaurant in Portland. It was definitely worth the wait. The fried mozzarella was a revelation. Would you ask the chef for the recipe?"

Bettina says that this recipe is one of her delicious and dependable standbys.

Pick up grilled zucchini and fresh figs from a specialty market to round out the meal.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.