Salad

Riesling gives the dressing a delicate flavor. Crumbled blue cheese and toasted walnuts are sharp-crunchy contrasts with appeal.

Spiced cranberries top chilled orange slices for a sweet-tangy contrast in this colorful salad.

Black beans teamed with the red, yellow and green bell peppers provide an interesting contrast in color and texture.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Cider was one of the most popular drinks in Colonial America, and each year some of the pressing was turned into vinegar. A tart-sweet cider vinaigrette dresses this light and lovely green salad, which includes thin slices of crisp apple.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Farmers' markets offer the widest selection of fresh baby potatoes, but if you can't find golf-ball-size versions of any of the varieties in this recipe, simply purchase large potatoes and cut them into 1 1/2-inch pieces.

Tahini, a creamy sesame seed paste, adds a new twist to the dressing for the salad.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

(INSALATA DI POMODORI) Climate and history have combined to make this region an important center for tomato cultivation. Plum tomatoes star in this straightforward side dish, which is a colorful accompaniment to the veal.

The sweet oranges and the smoky bacon in this salad balance the gentle bitterness of the radicchio; the pecans give the whole thing a nutty crunch.

Try adding a pound of crabmeat to this salad to turn it into an elegant main course.