Lemon

Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 3 hr

This summery trifle is simple to make since it calls for a purchased pound cake. Begin preparing the trifle one day ahead.

Lemon peel gives extra zip to this warm, garlicky bread. The recipe makes enough for everyone to have more than one helping.

Tenderize the boneless chicken breast halves by flattening them as you would for a chicken piccata, then marinating in lemon juice. What to drink: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc is ideal with both the breaded chicken and the asparagus risotto.

Creamed spinach and baked sweet potatoes drizzled with maple syrup make good partners for these crispy cutlets. Top vanilla frozen yogurt with fudge sauce and a few raspberries for dessert.

"On a visit to Miami Beach, a friend suggested we try the Gaucho Room at Loews Miami Beach Hotel," writes Anthony M. Stephens of Concord, California. "I have had many versions of Caesar salad, but none compare to the one I ate there; the house-made herbed croutons and dressing were so fresh. Would chef Frank Randazzo share his recipe?"

A simple but very flavorful main course that can be served with equal ease for a sit-down or buffet dinner.

This recipe is an accompaniment for Blueberry-Lemon Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting .

Lemon and thyme give these potatoes color and zip. Make the flavored butter ahead of time to save a step on the big day.

This lemony pasta dish is great with sesame breadsticks and a salad of sliced tomatoes and Vidalia onions in a red-wine vinaigrette. End with hazelnut cookies and a mixed-melon compote splashed with Champagne.

Have some roasted potatoes and broccoli on the side, then finish with decadent slices of chocolate layer cake.

"While driving along the California coast, we stopped at River's End, in Jenner," say Susan and Malcolm Duncan of Waco, Texas. "The fennel slaw was addictive, and we're not even fennel people. Do you think you could get the recipe?"

Toni and Lee Marteney of Kula, Maui, Hawaii, write: "Even though we live on Maui, where there are many fantastic restaurants, my husband and I always look forward to our trips to the mainland so we can eat at our favorite Southern California restaurant, Walt's Wharf in Seal Beach. All the food is superb and beautifully presented, but we always look forward to sharing the delicious grilled artichoke appetizer." The artichokes can be steamed in advance and thrown on the grill just before serving, which makes them perfect for entertaining.

This recipe is an accompaniment for Tunisian Fish Cakes with Spicy Lemon and Paprika Aioli .