Basil

Even easier: Use purchased pesto to help speed up the preparation.

To complete the menu, serve seeded Italian breadsticks and a salad of radicchio and marinated artichoke hearts tossed with balsamic vinaigrette. Spumoni ice cream is a perfect ending.

This combination of black and green olives, onion and garlic is a rendition of the relish served on the classic New Orleans sandwich called muffuletta from the Palladio restaurant in the Hyatt Regency in Rochester, New York.

An easy-to-make sauce to accompany grilled chicken or to toss with pasta. Sprinkle the pasta with some crumbled feta cheese before serving, if desired. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

(Chicken Stir-Fry with Holy Basil) Two of the common types of basil used in Thailand are now available in North America. Bai horapha tastes like a good strong Italian sweet basil and can be found in Asian markets and some supermarkets, usually sold as Asian basil or Thai basil. The basil traditionally used in this recipes is bai gaprow, or holy basil which can be harder to find because of its shorter shelf life. Holy basil hasn't much taste when raw, but when cooked it becomes strong and distinctive. Asian basil makes a very good substitute, though it can't be cooked as long or it will lose flavor.

These potatoes are great with the fish - and with just about any main course.

Homemade ravioli are made simple here with readily available gyoza wrappers (look for them in the refrigerated Asian section of your supermarket).

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

You can make this up to three days ahead; be sure to start at least one day in advance.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Fennel seeds add a flavorful new twist to this vegetarian main course.

Thanks to a generous amount of basil, mint and dill, this salad is quite refreshing. It can be taken to a picnic in a covered container that is stored in a cooler.