Feta

Feta cheese, cucumber, tomato and fresh dell enliven this simple salad.

An accompaniment to Greek-Style Shrimp.

Hot pasta is tossed into a fresh salsalike sauce for a quick and delicious meal.

Traditionally, chiles rellenos are batter-coated and fried. This version is baked with a lighter cheese filling.

A simple dish from the Cottage Inn, Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Good cooks never discard the nutritious beet greens. Here, the greens are combined with roasted beets, capers and feta in a Greek-inspired salad. Offer this before roast leg of lamb with crisp potatoes.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Deli cucumber salad and one of the new microwavable soups, such as savory lentil or spicy rice and bean, make great side dishes. End with purchased fresh fruit salad.

Begin the meal with toasted baguette rounds topped with sautéed wild mushrooms. Marinate the chicken three to six hours before cooking. what to drink: A crisp, fresh white wine, such as a California Sauvignon Blanc.

Donna Knowlton of Atlanta, Georgia, writes: "As the oldest of five children growing up in rural West Virginia, I was always helping in the kitchen. My husband is a doctor and works long hours, but we still like sharing a meal at the end of the day. I don't want to be in the kitchen late at night making something complicated, so I rely on dishes that can be ready in minutes." Donna brought back this version of the classic recipe from a trip to Athens.

Offer this meatless main-course salad with a basket of seeded flatbreads, steamed artichokes, and a lemon-mayo dipping sauce. Follow the meal with a bowl of apricots and some purchased baklava.

At the restaurant, the lamb is served with cilantro-corn mashed potatoes.

Great on its own or served alongside grilled fish, chicken or steak.

A quick appetizer or light main course.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 40 min

With the pizza, serve a green salad tossed with white-wine vinaigrette and pine nuts. Finish with lemon ice cream topped with pureed raspberries.