Tarragon

Boston brown bread is in the canned-vegetable aisle of most supermarkets.

The term fines herbes refers to a blend of aromatic herbs that usually includes parsley, chervil, chives, and tarragon. The combination is used in sauces, vegetables, and meat dishes, but it also adds subtle freshness to green salads.

Serve with: Buttermilk biscuits with herb butter, and chilled steamed asparagus spears in a citrus vinaigrette.

A dish from the Pays de Caux region in northern France, where it is called salade Cauchoise. The salad is traditionally bound with crème fraîche, but it is delicious made with mayonnaise, too. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

If you don't have any baby squash, just slice up some regular-sized ones. This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This butter is delicious on grilled fish or roast chicken, and will keep, chilled, up to 1 week, or frozen up to 1 month. Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Although pure maple syrup is a tried-and-true accompaniment to waffles, we've come up with something a little different for the following recipe. Here you'll find a choice of a savory topping as well as a sweet one.

For a particularly light and crunchy coating we used panko (coarse Japanese bread crumbs) on these crab cakes rather than regular bread crumbs. Panko is increasingly available in this country, not only in Asian markets but also in seafood shops.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 20 min

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. A delicious and colorful dish that can be made any time of year.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Makes use of the microwave oven.

To accompany Fillet of Beef on Garlic Croutons.