Herbs & Spices

Rice sticks turn up in soups in many parts of Asia. This recipe was inspired by an aromatic soup offered at Bo Ky, a Vietnamese noodle parlor on Bayard Street in New York City.

Because the beans need to be soaked overnight, start making this a day or two before you plan to serve it.

"I literally didn't know how to boil an egg until I was in my 20s — when I tried to impress a guy by making dinner for him," writes Sally Siegel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. "I didn't have much success with the dinner or the guy, but I regrouped and put together a repertoire of fairly elegant dishes I felt confident making. Over the years, my cooking style has become more casual; I make dishes that are not too demanding, but still special for company."

This recipe calls for a double dose of rosemary — it's used in the marinade for the lamb and in the aioli that's served with it.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Make the cake a day ahead so that it has plenty of time to chill.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

The hors d¸oeuvres may be made 1-1/2 hours in advance and kept covered loosely and chilled.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Brush thin slices of potato with olive oil, then grill them beside the steaks. Also serve a spinach and red onion salad with creamy ranch dressing. New York-style cheesecake is the perfect dessert.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe is adapted from George Lang's book The Cuisine of Hungary.

This Szechwan dish is traditionally made with toasted sesame paste, but peanut butter has been substituted here with good results. One secret of this light but flavorful rendition is to dress the noodles just before serving them. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.