Food Processor

Look for the ripest melon you can find; it should have a sweet fragrance and a firm exterior that yields slightly at the stem end. Granita can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. We like to serve the granita over wedges of cantaloupe for added melon flavor.

Serve this sherbet with Almond Meringue Wafers (recipe follows).

Unlike many ice cream recipes, this one does not contain eggs.

Romesco sauce, from the Catalonian region of Spain, is traditionally served with shellfish. We serve our version with roasted potatoes. It’s even better the next day, when the flavors have had a chance to blend: Refrigerate it overnight in a covered container, and bring to room temperature before serving.

For the best flavor, use freshly made bread crumbs for this dish because they have a much fluffier texture. Place as many slices of white bread as will comfortably fit in the bowl of your food processor, and pulse the bread until crumbly. Any leftover bread crumbs can be placed in a resealable plastic bag and frozen for future use.

For a garnish, sauté a few sliced cauliflower florets in a bit of butter until tender and lightly golden.

Drain the noodles well before coating with sauce.

Look for fresh lemongrass in Asian markets and some supermarkets.