No-Cook

Fools are traditionally prepared with pureed fruit mixed with whipped cream, or egg custard, or a combination of the two. (The term fool probably comes from the French fouler, meaning "to crush.") They seem to be especially successful when made with sharply flavored garden produce like rhubarb, gooseberries, and black currants, which still have enough bite to be interesting when blended with cream. But strawberries, which are much easier to find, also work quite nicely. Strawberry fool is best when the fruit is mashed rather than pureed, resulting in a more appealing texture. Serve it with cookies.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This is inspired by the dip served at Ca'Brea in Los Angeles. Try it with sliced boiled potatoes, crostini or vegetables.

Popsicle molds are sold at some drugstores and department stores.

Serve this tapenade on bruschetta or as a sandwich spread.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This is a fabulous pudding-like dessert that's very easy to make.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Old-fashioned green goddess dressing tastes as good today as it did back in the twenties, when it was invented. It's a delicious partner for mixed greens, chicken salad, cold poached salmon and sliced tomatoes.

Try these as appetizers, as a salad (on a bed of greens) or as a light dessert.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Low-fat buttermilk and nonfat yogurt provide the base in a refreshing, tangy soup.

If you have an extra minute, garnish the pie with chocolate shavings and cookie halves.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. We like to serve this feta on crackers as an hors d'oeuvre. Thinly sliced into single-serving portions, it also makes a lovely sweet-yet-savory dessert.