Red Onion

This colorful dish plays with the Basque sauté of red and green bell peppers. The Sherry wine vinegar gives the salad a delicious sweet-tangy edge.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

An elegant and simple main course.

Market tip: All rainbow trout sold in markets are sustainably farm-raised.

Not only is the yogurt marinade an excellent tenderizer, but it imparts a nice, mild tang as well. Begin marinating the chicken one day in advance.

Drizzling sweet pickle juice over the warm potatoes is the secret to this delicious salad.

"For me, cooking is a very relaxing and creative process — I just wish I had more time for it," writes Katherine Burk of Seattle, Washington. "I make a point of fixing dinner during the week, but with my hectic schedule (I work in information technology), there are some nights I'm too wiped out to attempt anything more complicated than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Usually, though, I can put something together — my spicy black bean soup, for example — in under thirty minutes." A southwestern favorite, simplified: Most of the ingredients are pantry staples.

Colorful, refreshing and delicious.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

Use leftover roast chicken for this, or buy a cooked chicken at the market. For an extra-special treat, top each baked slice with a dollop of sour cream and sliced avocado.

Begin this dish early in the day to allow the polenta to set.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.