Salad

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

If you can't find haricots verts--thin French string beans--buy the slenderest green beans you can find. Pack the prepared potatoes and beans separately, then arrange them on a platter when you reach your destination.

You can also "grill" the steak in a ridged heavy-duty skillet set on the stove top.

For a more substantial salad, add one cup chopped cooked chicken breast or one cup drained flaked tuna.

Sprinkle shredded cheddar over some tortilla chips, and pop them under the broiler for a minute-you'll have instant first-course nachos. All you need with the salad is a basket of tortillas or crusty bread. Mix some cinnamon into chocolate pudding to wrap up this Mexican-style dinner. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This simple apple salad got its name from the luxurious Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. Invented in 1896 not by a chef but by the maître d'hôtel Oscar Tschirky, the Waldorf salad was an instant success. As often happens, many variations evolved—some with raisins, some with chopped nuts. This one has green apples and red seedless grapes.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Here's a nice salad for fall and winter; mustard and orange give the great-tasting dressing plenty of zip.

This recipe was created to prepare Bacon and Blue Cheese Salad with Caesar Dressing . This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.