Cheese

Ripe summer tomatoes are perfect just as they are. Simply chop them up, mix with jarred peppers and a few other ingredients, and you've got dinner. For a vegetarian supper, round out the meal with an assortment of cheeses and crackers. Craving something a little more substantial? A platter of smoked salmon, relishes, and breadsticks would be great with the soup. For dessert, offer figs drizzled with honey.

Why stick with chicken or eggplant? Portobello Parmesan is just as tasty—and it doesn't need any breading. Choose mushrooms that are fresh (you'll know because they'll still be curled up around the edges). Older ones are flat and won't hold the filling as well.

One large steak serves six when it's topped with a light and tangy salsa-salad.

Halloumi is a pleasantly salty Greek cheese that grills well.

A simple Moroccan-spiced aioli is mixed in with the ground turkey to keep the burgers moist and give them tons of flavor. Smoked paprika is available in the spice aisle of most supermarkets.

Garlic chives add a mildly garlicky flavor to this simple pasta, which is loaded with little tomatoes and tiny pearls of fresh mozzarella cheese. The pea-size mozzarella can be found at Trader Joe's and well-stocked supermarkets.

While you're at it, double this recipe, then freeze the extra grilled focaccia. (Rewarm the thawed bread right on the rack in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes.) It's great with soup or salad, or as a snack with drinks.

Fresh, peppery greens add important vitamins and phytochemicals to a crisp homemade pizza. Pizza dough can be found at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores (such as Trader Joe's and Whole Foods markets) and Italian delis.

This vegetarian sandwich has very little oil—but it's still plenty indulgent, thanks to two cheeses and the sweet grilled peppers. Make it in a panini press or pan, or on the barbecue.

A simple, delicious summer dessert with nectarines.

Hot-wing aficionados will flip for these grilled shrimp, seasoned with hot sauce and butter. Celery and homemade blue cheese dip are delicious accompaniments.

These substantial bread twists are loaded with fresh rosemary and thyme, generously brushed with garlic oil, and, after they come out of the oven, rolled in a mixture of Parmigiano-Reggiano and parsley. Don’t be at all surprised if they steal the show.

Salads made with hearty romaine stand up well to strong flavors like garlic, lemon, and pungent Parmigiano-Reggiano. The chopped anchovies lend depth and savor, not fishiness, to the dressing.

You'll want to scarf down these little cornucopias down as fast as you can make them.

My son's teachers beg me to make this cake for his snack day at school. It isn't too sweet, and it has a moist, dense texture from the carrots and pineapple. It's also one of my most popular cakes at weddings and parties. When I make it at home, I throw more things into the batter—for example, a handful of pumpkin seeds or toasted pecans if I have them lying around. The beauty of this recipe is that you can increase the spices or omit the nuts, and it will still taste great.

This is a great frosting for the Carrot Cake . The lemon zest complements the cream cheese so perfectly that I sometimes even snack on this frosting—I just can't get enough of the sweet, tangy flavor! If you want extra oomph on the Carrot Cake, add minced ginger to the lemon zest.

Freshly ground coffee adds a depth to the spice rub and brings out the flavor of the meat. Be sure to keep the rub recipe handy. The spice rub would also be great on steaks and chicken.

A roasted garlic and red pepper relish replaces the usual pickle in this Spanish take on hot dogs.