Avocado

An easy version of the famous Cobb salad.

Jamaican jerk seasoning — a blend of chiles, thyme, garlic, onion, and spices — gives the grilled fish a reddish-brown finish. It's a supermarket staple now; look for it in the spice aisle. Serve with: Rice salad and grilled squash.

"My wife loves spinach salad, so one night I developed this recipe just for her," writes Jeff Edmunds of Yankton, South Dakota. "The crunchy apple slices and creamy avocado lend terrific texture and flavor." Add grilled chicken to this salad to make a main course.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A composed salad that features all the bright and pretty colors of the season.

Fragrant smoke from the mesquite wood chips makes a fine counterpoint to the sweetness of the lobster in this salad. Finish the meal with lemon ice drizzled with tequila, and pass a plateful of sugar cookies.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Spoon this Asian-inspired salsa over grilled tuna, swordfish, or salmon.

(Cold Avocado Soup)

Chiles Anchos Rellenos de Atún con Papas This is more sweet than spicy, because the chiles are softened in brown sugar and vinegar before stuffing.

A low-fat version of the Mexican soup.

At the ranch, Lisa Ahier makes this salsa with and without avocado. At Gourmet, we liked it with.

This springtime dish would go nicely with sliced red and yellow tomatoes drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette; offer corn muffins, too. End the dinner with wedges of chocolate mousse cake.