Chopped broccoli, crumbly bacon, lots of grated cheese, and red onion are tossed with a lovely red wine vinegar and mayonnaise dressing. The salad needs to chill at least an hour or two before serving.
Tagliatelle, that tender, flat Italian noodle related to fettuccine, gets a simple blue cheese cream sauce and a sprinkle of toasted walnuts for a fast but romantic pasta dish.
Colorful vegetables and the flavors of lemon and thyme make this orzo dish great for picnics. You can chop the zucchini and carrot instead of grating them to cut down on prep time, just be sure to cook them for a few minutes longer before adding the orzo.