Cilantro
Spiced-Up Grilled Cheese
Lisa Amundsen of Vancouver, British Columbia, writes: "On a recent trip to New York City, my husband and I stayed near Amy's Bread bakery. We sampled their excellent selection of breads, sandwiches, and sweets. We especially loved the grilled cheese sandwich. It was a little tangy, a little spicy, and altogether wonderful."
Indian-Spiced Chicken Kebabs with Cilantro-Mint Chutney
Tikka curry paste — used to season the chicken — can be found in Asian markets, but any mild Indian curry paste can be substituted.
Crab and Avocado Soup
"I literally didn't know how to boil an egg until I was in my 20s — when I tried to impress a guy by making dinner for him," writes Sally Siegel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. "I didn't have much success with the dinner or the guy, but I regrouped and put together a repertoire of fairly elegant dishes I felt confident making. Luckily, my husband, Loren, likes to cook as much as I do, so we really work as a team when we give dinner parties. We're both real estate agents, and we like to entertain clients — we've made some great friends by selling houses to them."
Silky and light, this blender soup would make a delicate summer starter. Bonus: It comes together very quickly.
By Sally Siegel
Pumpkin-Seed-Crusted Trout
This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
The chef at Cafe Diablo uses 6- to 8-ounce local trout fillets from Road Creek Trout Farm. We have adapted the recipe for smaller fillets.
Grilled Lobsters with Southeast Asian Dipping Sauce
This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Cooking lobsters is often perceived as a last-minute frenzy. The following recipe lets you progress through menu-planning worry free: The lobsters can be parboiled in the morning and kept chilled until you're ready to grill them at dinnertime.
To satisfy any die-hard lobster-and-butter traditionalists at your table, you might want to serve some clarified butter along with the dipping sauce.
Cucumber Salsa
This recipe was created to accompany Smoked Whitefish Cakes with Cucumber Salsa.
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Butternut Squash and Noodles with Coconut, Lime and Cilantro Sauce
This lovely and satisfying main course uses light coconut milk, Thai red curry paste and jalapeño chili for lots of flavor and spice.
Asian Flank Steak
This entrée is excellent for summer entertaining. It's even better — and easier — if you place the meat in the marinade a day in advance. Accompany with steamed white rice to catch the juices.
By Sheryl Hurd-House
Shrimp and Scallop Curry
By John Phillips
Chicken in Green Pumpkin-Seed Sauce
Pipián Verde con Pollo
Serve with Classic Red Rice and tortillas.
Garlic Soup with Poached Eggs
By Ruth Cousineau