American

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. This variation on Spanish rice is wonderful with spicy Southwestern dishes.

Our executive food editor used to spend summer vacations in Horton Bay, Michigan, where a version of the following recipe was an unusual but popular sweet-and-savory accompaniment to lakeside barbecues.

Serve with black-eyed peas, biscuits, a watercress salad and cold beer or iced tea.

Pair this with a green salad for a light lunch.

This cool salsa is the ideal accompaniment for grilled shrimp.

Vermont's maple sugaring season is in early spring, and Vermont Grade B maple syrup-which has a more pronounced flavor than Grade A-is available by mail order in quart-size containers from Highland Sugarworks, Websterville, VT, tel. (800) 452-4012.

Salamander's chef, Stan Frankenthaler, combines mussels with spicy sausage and Thai flavorings, such as coconut milk and lime juice.

A modern take on old-fashioned ice cream sandwiches and ice cream cone "drumsticks." For a rich, satisfying but lower-fat dessert, serve the delicious chocolate sorbet on its own without mixing in the peanut butter cup candies.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Two new flavors enhance a classic.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Sunset salad originated at the '21' Club early in the restaurant's history. The name comes from the colors of its ingredients. The salad is most often served with Lorenzo dressing, which was invented by one of the waiters, whose first name, not surprisingly, was Lorenzo.

Can be prepared in less than 45 minutes.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.