Chicory

The poblano chilies can be prepared one day ahead, and the vegetables can be chopped and sliced one day ahead and then refrigerated separately in resealable plastic bags. Then the whole dish just requires a few minutes of cooking time before serving.

Toasted nuts keep well in the freezer. If you make extra and save them, it'll take you just 10 minutes to prepare this salad the next time you make it.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Arugula's bold flavor and the texture of curly frisée team up in this simple salad.

Marjorie Farr, Silver Spring, Md.
Use fresh spinach in this dish — frozen will not do. A sprinkle of parsley before serving adds a fresh touch.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 20 min

Cabrales is Spain's famous blue cheese. Its creamy texture and assertive flavor make this dish irresistible. And there's no fear of falling here: These soufflés can be made two hours ahead and rewarmed before serving.

Try this as part of a barbecue buffet.

"I dined on the most sumptuous grilled radicchio salad at The Dish Bistro and Wine Bar the last time I was in Tucson," writes Cindy Shafer of Huntington Beach, California. "Please get the recipe — I must have it." Yellow and green beans, and artichoke hearts are grilled along with the radicchio in this recipe. Serve the salad while the vegetables are still warm.

Puntarelle (a Catalonian chicory) with anchovy dressing is a classic Roman dish. We have substituted celery for the puntarelle because the latter is not widely available in this country*. Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 1 3/4 hr

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