Arugula

In a large menu, the salad is often served after a number of hearty dishes, so the portions are scaled down. For a smaller meal, this amount would serve 4 to 5 hearty salad eaters.

Quiche made its way from France to our shores in the sixties, but it was in the seventies that its popularity soared.

This recipe is an accompaniment for Roasted Salmon with Cucumber Sour Cream .

This light, refreshing salad is from Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix.

Peppery arugula, sweet, ripe strawberries, and buttery hazelnuts create layers of contrasting flavor in this simple salad.

This superb starter has no cream and just one tablespoon of oil.

Some of the ingredients need to marinate overnight in the Dijon-red wine vinaigrette, so plan accordingly.

In this easy salad, salty prosciutto contrasts with peppery arugula and cooling mango. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less, but requires additional unattended time.

Sophisticated and satisfying, this can be offered as a vegetarian main course or as a hearty side dish.

For this dish, fresh spring-summer zucchini are imperative. I use a 1-mm. food processor-blade as if it were a mandoline to hand-slice the tender zucchini. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This was inspired by a classic dish at San Francisco's Zuni Cafe. Uncork a Chardonnay or Pinot Noir to accompany the menu.

From Il Pastaio, Beverly Hills, California.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A lovely side dish with big flavors‑and only a single teaspoon of oil.

Prosciutto slices are usually paper-thin-but for this dish be sure they are not too thin or they will tear when you spread the cheese on them. Serve these with the Black Pepper Almonds, and pour Champagne.