Goat Cheese

"Years ago, I was working on a client at my hair salon when we realized that our conversations always led to food," writes Sandy Ercolano of Ridgewood, New Jersey. "She happened to be taking classes at a local cooking school and suggested that I come along. After one class, I was hooked. Now, in addition to running the salon, I’m an instructor at that same school." In this recipe the steak is broiled, but you can also grill it on your barbecue (over a medium-hot fire).

Tlacoyos con Queso de Cabra Traditionally these rustic cakes are made with a mashed bean filling. The goat cheese called for here adds a contemporary twist.

The aged goat cheese called for in this recipe is firmer than fresh and has a dry rind. Two kinds work best in this dish, Bucheron and Pouligny-St.-Pierre, both of which have just the right amount of tang — but ask at the cheese counter for comparable substitutes if you have trouble finding them. Cafe Pasqual's, in Santa Fe, serves its version of this dish — "pigs 'n' figs" — with blue cheese. Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 45 min

To make this easy appetizer even easier, substitute store-bought roasted red bell peppers for the home-roasted ones.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Fresh strawberries and cookies from the bakery round out the meal nicely. Pour a dry white wine or iced tea. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

In this recipe we call for a 10 1/2- by 7- by 1-inch rectangular tart pan with a removable fluted rim; you could instead use a 10- by 1-inch round tart pan with a removable rim. The cornmeal makes a tender, delicate crust.

Jalapeño-Cilantro Salsa and Tomato Salsa are colorful accompaniments to this great entrée.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Chef Beverly Gannon accompanies the bread with this salsa, plus a garlic-ginger yogurt dipping sauce and a tomato-mint sauce.

The warm goat cheese toasts make delicious croutons for the salad, but they would also be an easy hors d'oeuvre.

A perfect partner to salad. Accompany with a platter of celery sticks and radishes with their tops attached.

Prepared pesto is put to delicious use in this easy and elegant appetizer.

"At the Charleston Grill in Charleston, South Carolina, we were overwhelmed by how delicious the grits were," write Neil and Judy Kleinman of Pasadena, California. "This spectacular side dish was made with goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, and was served in a small skillet."

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.