Tomato

You can prepare this brightly colored dip up to two days ahead.

(Braised Beef, Peppers, and Onions) Ropa vieja, or "old clothes," describes the shreds of meat, peppers, and onions resembling a mess of colorful rags. Robust stews such as this Cuban specialty are at the heart of West Indian cuisine.

These sophisticated crab quesadillas need only six minutes of stove time. Citrus, green onions and Monterey Jack cheese provide delicate flavor; when teamed with a salad, the quesadillas make a light and lovely meal. Pour a dry Gewürztraminer, and finish with melon accented with fresh mint.

Easy to make and satisfying.

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

With steamed asparagus and some rice or mashed potatoes, this easy dish is elegant enough for company.

Gremolata is a parsley and lemon peel mixture commonly used in Italy with osso buco.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Makes use of the microwave oven.

A jicama, watercress and red onion salad and warm corn tortillas would be terrific with this meatless entrée. Scoop lemon sherbet into cantaloupe halves for dessert. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Beer gives a yeasty flavor to this quick bread made without yeast. Slices of the bread are good toasted or sandwiched around a filling of choice.

This is great over steamed rice.

Serve this dish with cornbread and a mixed green salad for a hearty supper.