Burger

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

Brushed with garlic oil, grilled over the fire and stacked onto crusty buns with plenty of burger trimmings, portobellos are this season's snazziest alternative sandwich filling.

Spruce up some purchased pasta salad with drained marinated artichoke hearts and marinated mushrooms for a hearty side dish. For dessert, spoon raspberries and sliced peaches over vanilla frozen yogurt.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but may require additional sitting time.

Shredded iceberg lettuce topped with ranch dressing is the perfect side dish. End with scoops of lime sorbet drizzled with tequila and sprinkled with lime peel. Canned chipotle chilies are available at Latin American markets, specialty foods stores, and some supermarkets.

Offer deli-bought orzo salad tossed with slivered basil and Kalamata olives, along with some grilled red pepper quarters. Raspberry gelato in sugar cones would be a cool dessert.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Along with corn on the cob, serve some deli macaroni salad gussied up with chopped carrots and green bell peppers. Also have lettuce, sliced tomatoes and other condiments to pile onto the burgers. Strawberry shortcake is just right for dessert.

Grill thick slices of parboiled potatoes alongside the beef and serve a chunky tomato salad dressed with a simple vinaigrette. Purchased vanilla custard or pudding topped with fresh berries is a lovely way to end the meal.

A low-fat alternative to beef, ground buffalo is becoming increasingly available.

A true demi-glace — the luscious sauce made by reducing homemade stock and red wine to a rich concentration — needs to simmer for several hours, making it the perfect activity for a lazy winter Sunday.

Serve with: Parslied new potatoes and a frisée salad with goat cheese. Dessert: Pineapple sorbet with sliced strawberries.

Chipotles give these burgers — from Hal's Bar & Grill in Venice, California — a terrific kick.

Beef and Roquefort have a long-standing culinary partnership, but the thick and sweetly smoky slices of barbecued red onions are what really make these burgers great. Keep the meal all-American with chilled beer, homemade lemonade and iced tea. A fresh peach pie with vanilla ice cream is a perfect dessert.