Grape

Saturday lunch. From Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona. Go ahead and pack it in: This chicken salad tastes deceptively creamy, but unlike the old-fashioned mayo-drenched variety, it is held together with tangy nonfat yogurt. The sweet and spicy flavor is a pleasure for your palate, and the flavonoids in the grapes are a boon to the heart.

Tip: Just-as-sweet calorie saver: Mix honey, not sugar, intro fruit desserts.

Olive oil in a dessert might seem a little odd, but try to think of it as a flavorful ingredient rather than a fat...as long as you choose a delicious extra-virgin oil. I first had something like this in Jabugo, Spain, when I ate slices of orange simply drizzled with a grassy local oil as a dessert. It was a revelation. If you want to go dairy-free in this dessert, then skip the yogurt and mix the mint in with the grapes.

Each low-cal helping serves up heart-friendly flavonoids (found in the skin).

Despite their name, Champagne grapes aren't used to make the sparkling wine. Legend has it that the grapes were so named because the tiny clusters of fruit resemble the bubbles in a glass of Champagne. What to drink: A crisp, ripe white. Try: Icon 2004 Sauvignon Blanc, House of Nobilo, Marlborough, New Zealand ($20).

The syrup is also used to coat the apple wedges and grapes that garnish each plate.

This jam has all the kid-friendly sweetness you remember, but with lovely floral notes and a thick consistency that come from using Concords at their peak.

Fresh muscats are somewhat difficult to find, but they're worth seeking out for their musky flavor. what to drink: A smooth white. Try: La Crema 2003 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley ($24). The chicken paillards would also be wonderful paired with Robert Sinskey Vineyards 2004 Los Carneros Pinot Blanc, Napa ($18).

This recipe is a variation on sole Véronique. We've used tiny Champagne grapes for the sauce — they have extremely delicate skins, so there's no need to peel them.

The grapes and vinegar cook down into a sweet, complex sauce. What to drink: A deep, concentrated red. Try: Rosenblum Cellars 2003 Zinfandel, Richard Sauret Vineyards, Paso Robles ($20).

An inventive new take on a classic fall side. What to drink: A fruity red with a nice acidity. Try: Keenan 2002 Merlot, Carneros, Napa ($25).

These tangy Cheddar crisps puff slightly while they bake, making them a versatile base for hors d'oeuvres.

The gelatin in this refreshing dessert soup sets just enough to give it body but not bounce. All kinds of grapes work beautifully as garnishes for this soup; it's worth seeking out unusual varieties, however, for the extra character.

In this elegant introduction to dinner, oysters are paired with Champagne grapes, whose sweet juice balances the sharpness of the vinegar in the mignonnette.

Spear fruit with skewers and dip it into the butterscotch, then dip into the nuts and crème fraîche.

Editor's note: This recipe is from Brini Maxwell's Guide to Gracious Living. For Maxwell's tips on throwing a summer pool party, click here. This eye opening dish is mostly flash and very little substance, but the fresh fruit is delicious and good for the digestion.