Quick

Brandi Neuwirth of Cary, North Carolina, writes: "My family and I moved here from Los Angeles last year, and my new surroundings have really influenced my cooking. There's a great farmers' market nearby where I get lots of local ingredients like tomatoes, squash, and, of course, okra. The produce there inspired me to create this dish, which is a real taste of the South." Tossing the okra in cornmeal before frying creates a crisp coating, adding texture to this colorful, summery dish.

The garlicky herb butter is similar to the butter served with escargots in southwestern France. IMPROV: When preparing the butter, try a shallot instead of garlic, and thyme instead of parsley.

Asiago frico — easy-to-make crispy cheese wafers — top this salad. Look for tender young spinach at the farmers' market. In some areas, what you find at the farmers' market may be cheaper than what's available at the supermarket. If you have a first-rate extra-virgin olive oil and some sea salt in your cupboard, here's a chance to show them off.

Unlike a traditional risotto, this easy side dish for the stew needs barely any stirring at all.

These onions work as a starter or as an accompaniment to steak and salad.

Now's the perfect time for strawberries at their peak, and here is a way to celebrate all their fabulous flavor.

These crisp-tender, mildly spiced beans are novel enough to be interesting, familiar enough to be comforting.

This tasty pineapple rum cocktail is everything a tropical drink should be: sweet, fruity, and icy cold.

Heavily spiked, our take on the Singapore Sling highlights the aromatic quality of Benedictine, a Cognac-based liqueur that smells of honey, citrus, and herbs.

You can make this superfresh-tasting version of the Chinese takeout classic yourself.

This pasta dish would be a great side with grilled trout.

This simple one-dish vegetarian meal is hearty without being heavy.

This dish is wonderful no matter what egg pasta you use. And the Greek feta can be found at most supermarkets.

This truly fabulous Vietnamese-inspired salad is the epitome of flavor synergy, combining sweet pineapple and fiery serrano with cooling cucumber and mint.

Watermelon chunks in savory salads have been all the rage in the past few years, but we wanted a way to retain the fruit's best trait: how enjoyable it is to eat out of hand on a hot day. These wedges, sprinkled with salt, pepper, cheese, and heady fresh mint, are a light, refreshing start to a warm-weather meal. And they leave your other hand free to hold a drink or chase after the kids.