Lettuce

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe was created to accompany Seared Scallops with Tarragon Cream.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

The following hors d'oeuvre, a variation on the BLT, can be put together quickly if the ingredients are prepared a few hours ahead and assembled just before serving. Finely diced mozzarella would be a nice addition to the salad filling. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

An open-face knife-and-fork sandwich.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Scaffata This is a wonderful Roman spring dish that can be made when peas and favas in their shells are young and sweet. The name comes from the word scaffare — "to shell" in Roman dialect. It is especially good when served with roasted spring lamb or goat. The outermost, less tender leaves of a head of romaine, which you may not want to use in a salad, are perfect for this dish.

Here's a terrific salad with the bold tastes of cilantro and cumin. Cold beer is the ideal beverage go-with.

Components of this salad can be prepared one day ahead, then tossed together at the last minute. Offer white wine spritzers and iced tea with lunch. Colorful ornamental kale can be found at some supermarkets and specialty foods stores.

You can make the salad with roast chicken if you prefer. Offer purchased sesame noodles as an accompaniment. For dessert, serve sugared sliced plums, topped with vanilla ice cream and chopped crystallized ginger. Look for the Thai fish sauce in the Asian foods section of the supermarket.

Our tuna salad has a Mediterranean twist: olives and roasted red peppers. Have this sandwich for lunch at home or work or on a picnic, served with a tomato salad. Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 20 min

This recipe makes great use of the tough outer leaves of romaine, which are often discarded.

Serve with: Fresh sugar snap peas, grape tomato salad, and dinner rolls.