Cucumber

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Crisp baby radishes, blanched snow peas and mini rice cakes make a light starter. The salad tastes even better with cold Asian beer to wash it down. For dessert, crumble coconut macaroons over orange sorbet. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe was created to accompany Grilled Swedish Meatball Kebabs Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less, but requires additional unattended time.

Here's a light way with stuffed vegetables.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Add chopped jalapeños for some extra zip.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This dressing can also be used as a refreshing condiment for spicy curries.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Serve this Indian condiment with grilled chicken, curries or sliced tomatoes.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. We used osetra caviar for this hors d'oeuvre, but feel free to substitute your favorite. Any leftover caviar can be used to brighten up a number of dishes, from scrambled eggs to pasta.

Fine bulgur might seem like a specialty ingredient, but it is actually in most supermarkets under the name Near East Taboule Wheat Salad Mix — just toss away the seasoning packet.

Plump scallops, sprinkled with salt and pepper, are lightly grilled and served with a salsa rich in parsley and diced vegetables. The salsa should be made just before eating; otherwise the liquid content of the vegetables will turn the dish watery.

Peg Isherwood of Libertyville, Illinois, writes: "While in Christiansted, St. Croix, we dined at Kendrick's and had the most interesting gazpacho — it was spicy but not too hot, with lots of chopped vegetables. I met the owner, David Kendrick, the next morning and found him delightful. Would you ask him for the recipe?" This gazpacho has a chunkier texture than most (almost like a salsa). To chop the vegetables in a processor, cut them into quarters and process in batches, using on/off turns.