Weeknight Meals

For best results, buy small clams for this quick and sophisticated recipe.

The perfect picnic sandwich for summer.

Although polenta is traditionally made with cornmeal, we substituted matzo meal—with great results. It's far more tender than regular polenta, and tastes especially wonderful with the sauce from the braised veal with gremolata .

It may seem odd that we use frozen green peas, but, sadly, even the best fresh ones can taste starchy by the time they make it to the supermarket. Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 30 min

White asparagus has a delicate flavor that works especially well with our truffle vinaigrette, but try the dish with green asparagus, too.

Linguiça is a garlic-flavored Portuguese sausage available at most supermarkets. Serve with: Frisée salad drizzled with a red wine vinaigrette.

Pad Pak Khana This vegetable is more about leaves and stalks than its namesake cousin. It also has a sweeter flavor and juicier stems. All those green buds eventually blossom into white flowers, so when you're at the market, be sure to look for those with only a few open flowers — and the thinner the stalk, the better. Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 15 min

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

You can find the ethnic ingredients for this tasty one-dish meal in the oriental section of your supermarket.

This chicken is delicious over rice or pasta, which absorbs the tangy sauce. A salad and some crusty French bread would be fine accompaniments.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Diced apple, dried apricots and golden raisins accent this 30-minute entrée.

Offer a salad of snow peas and sliced radishes in a ginger vinaigrette. End with oranges and almond cookies. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.