Gourmet

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Asian cucumber ribbon salad can fill a pita pocket — with other ingredients or on its own — or it can accompany fish or meat as a side dish.

Companion recipe to Smoked Fish Trio. These toasts would also be a simple and savory accompaniment to cocktails.

Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 40 min

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time. A fantastic ice-cream sauce.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

All-American apple pie cannot be ascribed to any single region of the United States, of course. But this straightforward pie--no raisins, no spirits, no creamy accompaniments--is a heartland basic.

"My husband and I have a favorite local restaurant, Paci," says Michelle Jaffee of Fairchild, Connecticut. "Its menu changes seasonally and is always exciting. However, it just may be Paci's phenomenal coconut cake that has made us regulars. The pastry chef tells us that the recipe is a closely guarded secret. If you could persuade the restaurant to part with the recipe, I'm sure my family — and your readers — would be most grateful." At Paci, the chef serves this dessert with a chocolate espresso sauce. But we loved the buttery cake topped with fresh fruit — try nectarines or mangoes. It's perfect for summertime. Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 2 1/2 hr (includes cooling)

This dough produces a crisp cookie with oats for added texture.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 30 min

This recipe was created to accompany Chicken with Mustard Seed Crust and Couscous. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

We used an empty 1/2-gallon cardboard milk carton as a mold for this cake to keep the checkerboard pattern even.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Plank cooking is a Native American technique that imparts a subtle smoky flavor to fish, meat, poultry, and vegetables. It is recommended to use a plank of untreated Western red cedar made specifically for cooking purposes.