Dill

Although the most authentic Swedish meatballs are not sauced, this creamy dill-and mustard-spiked dish is nevertheless hearty, comforting and flavored with ingredients popular in Swedish cooking. The meatballs are served over caraway noodles to capture every drop of the delectable sauce. Uncork a Chardonnay to go with the meal.

(Russian Potato-and-Cabbage Turnovers)

From my mom, Kathy Spivey. Simple and delicious!

A delicate and sophisticated main course. Look for trout fillets with skin or have the fishmonger fillet two whole trout for you.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 15 min

Serve with: Red cabbage slaw and pickles. Dessert: Fudge brownies.

M'Eloise Waters of Yakima, Washington, writes: "Throughout the years, I have enjoyed so many 'R.S.V.P.' recipes, and now I have a request of my own: the chicken pasta from Spazzo Mediterranean Grill in Bellevue, Washington. It has fresh herbs, walnuts, almonds, and caramelized onions."

A grill pan is just the thing for cooking the chicken and zucchini in this recipe.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 40 min

A specialty of chef Eileen Joyce. This is as deliciously simple as fresh fish gets.

Spicy peperoncini peppers cut the creaminess of the sauce on this salmon. Serve Artichoke Bruschetta as a first course, rice and asparagus as side dishes.

Tabbouleh is made with bulgur, but we decided to shake things up a bit by mixing tabbouleh flavors (parsley, tomato, and lemon) with rice and lentils, a common Middle Eastern pairing. Served chilled or at room temperature, the salad is terrific with any meat, poultry, or fish. You could add chickpeas, corn, or more lentils for a vegetarian main course. Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 40 min

Two mustards mellowed with honey and yogurt make a terrific sauce for chicken — or even fish or pork. This is an ideal warm-weather dish because the sauce does't require cooking. Try boiled new potatoes on the side. Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 25 min