Quick

The pesto works well as a sauce for pasta, chicken, or fish, too.

Fried sage works on two levels to make these carrots spectacular: First, the leaves' crisp texture offsets the carrots' tenderness, and second, the aromatic oil that remains in the skillet after frying infuses the vegetable with deep flavor.

Ann Gillespie of Alexandria, Virginia, writes: "Because I'm balancing graduate school and a family, I try to cook things that don't take a lot of time. But I love experimenting with ingredients, so most of my recipes are easy to make and use interesting flavor combinations. During the week, salads are our mainstay. When we get bored with veggies, we add different fruits, like the blueberries in the recipe here."

This fun, gooey treat makes a great after-school snack. The marshmallows are slightly charred and the bread is cleverly caramelized for double the toasty flavor.

This take on curried deviled eggs has a more authentic Indian flavor, thanks to the inclusion of mango chutney and garam masala (an aromatic spice blend used in South Asian cooking).

Ann Gillespie of Alexandria, Virginia, writes: "Because I'm balancing graduate school and a family, I try to cook things that don't take a lot of time. But I love experimenting with ingredients, so most of my recipes are easy to make and use interesting flavor combinations. This pasta dish is reminiscent of what my husband and I would cook when we were first married."

These little appetizer pizzas are perfect finger food.

Improv: Skip the maple syrup and chopped ginger and add a couple of teaspoons of fresh lime juice.

Enriched with coarsely mashed potatoes, this lively soup makes for an easy supper. Serve the Accompaniments in separate bowls for an interactive touch.

Selma Hurwitz of Potomac, Maryland, writes: "I'm an artist, which helps explain why I think cooking is very creative. You can't be afraid to experiment in the kitchen. I often get ideas from cookbooks and recipes from friends, and I'll add my own touches. The salmon recipe here is based on one a friend gave me. I added more wine, and sometimes I use capers to give the sauce a zesty tang." Broiling caramelizes the sugar and gives the salmon a deeper flavor.

Fresh, peppery arugula pairs nicely with the Steamed Clams with Pasta.

Keep the final course sweet and simple.

Without the ice cream and served warm, these make a great brunch dish.