Orzo

A nice side dish for grilled fish or lamb.

Regular button mushrooms are a nice substitute for the portobellos in this side dish.

Orzo, a rice-shaped pasta, is sold at Italian markets and most supermarkets.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Sugar snap peas, cucumber, tomatoes, green onions, parsley and mint combine with orzo pasta for a lovely warm-weather salad.

People who turn their noses up at rice often find this tiny pasta irresistible. Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 40 min

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

"The recipes here reflect my British roots, but not necessarily my family traditions," writes Mairi Morrison of London, England. "Although my mother is from Scotland and my father is from Northern Ireland, I grew up in Los Angeles, where our weeknight meals were typically American: spaghetti, tacos, and burgers. It wasn't until I moved to Europe that I became really interested in food. Here in London my social life is centered around the table. I really like this dish because it is typically British, and perfect for a rainy winter evening in London." A nice side with lamb, chicken or fish dishes.

In this preparation, orzo is treated like risotto, which produces richer flavors and a creamier texture — with almost no stirring.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 40 min