Dairy

Unlike the sweet animal crackers in the familiar circus box, these boast a savory cheese flavor. They're a nice accompaniment to the chicken soup with rice.

The sweetness of the pears and honey in this recipe are a nice foil for the savory ricotta.

Pulissery This is the ultimate Keralan rice dish — sour, spicy, and with a strong coconut accent. For more information on grated coconut, coconut oil, and coconut milk. The Indian ingredients can be found at Indian markets and Kalustyan's (800-352-3451).

When cutting the pockets for the stuffing, make them as large as possible on the inside without enlarging the 3-inch-long incision on the outside.

For more variety, stir in other finely chopped herbs such as basil, thyme, or tarragon.

Italy meets Greece in a dish that pairs well with grilled lamb or chicken. What to drink: A crisp Pinot Grigio or Grüner Veltliner.

This recipe is a great way to make the most of late-summer tomatoes. Grill some Italian sausages to go alongside. What to drink: A lighter red, like Pinot Noir.

Ultra-creamy Fontina cheese and a layer of black-olive tapenade give this an unctuous, satisfying quality that is usually missing from other veggie pizzas. What to drink: Dry rosé or a spicy Rhône-style red.

A good hit of curry spices up this classic. Begin marinating the chicken in the buttermilk mixture the night before.

One of Cat Cora's signature dishes is a watermelon, feta, and mint salad (a nod to her Greek heritage). Here, she gives the recipe an Italian accent.

Oven-drying the tomatoes before baking the tart concentrates their sweetness and prevents juices from softening the filling. This makes a great summer starter, light lunch, or supper. What to drink: A glass of dry rosé to echo the Provençal flavors of the tart, or a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

Marielle Ainsworth of Roswell, New Mexico, writes: "I'm a vegetarian, but my husband isn't, so I'm always looking for recipes that will make both of us happy. I came up with the goat cheese pizza because it combines things we both love —cheese and veggies. If you're not a fan of goat cheese, whole-milk mozzarella, Fontina, or Gorgonzola can also be used.

Smear on crackers for an hors d'oeuvre or on bread for a flavor-packed sandwich.

Pair this summery mixture with Italian bread for an easy, delightful sandwich.

Try this with your next roast beef or pork sandwich, on either pumpernickel or rye.

Tapered eggplants and a mix of large and medium tomatoes will give your stacks a more graceful appearance.