Leafy Greens

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

For a nice variation, try making this one with Napa cabbage. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

The lobster and vegetables are tossed with an orange, shallot and tarragon dressing, then served over mixed green. Offer lavash crackers and white wine spritzers.

(Warm Potato Goat-Cheese Salads with Thyme and Niçoise Olives)

This is a lovely first course or side dish.

A vegetarian takeoff on the classic Chinese minced squab dish. Chopped raw vegetables, not fried noodles, add crunch.

Serve this appetizer with crusty bread and enjoy.

When you want to put on the "dog" but not the fat, try this colorful salad.

Try tucking this simple make-ahead salad into pita bread halves and adding some ruffly-edged lettuce for color.

Easy to prepare and impressive to serve, this dish is perfect for an impromptu week-night dinner party.

A little pork goes a long way in this Chinese dinner. Chicken breast can be used as a substitute for the pork. Chinese crepes are available frozen in most Asian markets, but easy-to-find tortillas work, too.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Pick up stuffed grape leaves, marinated mushrooms and crusty bread from the deli to round out the menu. Finish with an almond tart and brandied espresso.

At Thanksgiving, rice stuffings are standard on many southern tables. This one, a combination of white rice and wild rice, gets more regional notes from collard greens, pecans and ham.

A hearty meal-in-a-bowl for blustery March days. Short ribs add flavor, while sliced cabbage contributes texture. At the end, the only things you need are a dash of vinegar and a dollop of sour cream.

Beets--both pickled and boiled--have long been a popular German side dish for meats. The sour cream dressing gets a kick from vinegar and mustard.