<div><p>Pecan-Beet Salad</p><p>MAKES 4 TO 6 SERVINGS; PREP: 20 MIN.; BAKE: 1 HR., ? MIN.; COOL: 30 MIN. 6 medium-size golden beets (about 6 oz. each)</p><p>l cup pecan halves</p><p>¼ cup rice wine vinegar</p ...

<div><p>Cranberry-Nectarine Salad</p><p>MAKES 4 SERVINGS; PREP: 10 MIN., BAKE: 6 MIN., COOL: 15 MIN., STAND: 5 MIN.</p><p>Briefly soaking dried fruit in hot water enhances the natural flavor and texture.</p><p>1 (3-oz.) package Oriental-flavored ramen noodle ...

<div><p>It is axiomatic that when a vegetable gardener goes on holiday, his or her garden immediately goes into overdrive and overproduction. Listen, I said to my neighbours, come in and help yourselves. French beans, courgettes, lettuces, beetroot, potatoes. Whatever, whenever. The result? When I got back, courgettes the size of Zeppelins, french beans like ...

<div><p>The impromptu salad I toss together, usually only minutes before we sit down to eat, gets more attention in high summer. The crunchy, peppery, glistening leaves, their more substantial accompaniments and their dressings suddenly become meals in their own right - a light lunch, a late supper, a first course. It pleases me when a ...