Peanut

Shelling and skinning the raw peanuts for this recipe can be time-consuming. You might prefer to buy them at an Asian market, where you'll often find the work has been done for you. Some shelled peanuts (with skins) come already blanched. We found the best flavor came from those you shell and skin yourself.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

In addition to being great with milk at breakfast time, this is nice sprinkled over yogurt, fruit or ice cream, or baked into your favorite granola cookies or bars.

At Loaves and Fishes we have huge glass jars filled with a variety of very large cookies. Since we opened our doors, we have had to refill the peanut cookie jar over and over each day. This recipe is for our loyal customers and our guests at the Inn, who enjoy a good cookie.

This lively Asian-style salad is terrific on its own or teamed with roast chicken, roast lamb or broiled shrimp.

For those who've found the consistency of okra unappealing, there are secrets to keeping it crisp and toothsome: Don't cut into the pod when trimming the stems and don't overcook it.

For convenience, you can use the mini candy bars available in one-pound bags.

Matt McMillan, Big Bowl's executive chef, threw together these items for his lunch one day. We ran it as a special the next week. It's simple and delicious.

"Thai is my favorite Asian cuisine, and the Thai noodles at Q, A Thai Bistro, here in Forest Hills just may be my favorite dish," writes Loren Kliegerman of Forest Hills, New York. "Any idea how it is prepared?"

This salad, or some approximation of it, was on [the Rainbow Room's] menu and my mother loved it and made her own version at home regularly. I do, too. Its ingredients list may sound odd, but this is a combination that not only works but becomes addictive. Don't be alarmed at the amount of vinegar: the astringency of the dressing, against the fulsome oiliness of the nuts and, in turn, nutty sweetness of the carrots, is the whole point.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

An ice-cream-parlor special comes home in this outstanding treat. The peanut brittle has to be cooked to a very high temperature, so be sure to have a bowl of ice water nearby to cool down your fingers in case of any spills.

Though it's not essential to make both sauces for these wings, we think the contrast between the rich peanut sauce and the light-yet-spicy gai yang — a classic Thai sauce for poultry — is a flavor combination that shouldn't be missed.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.