Ginger

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Makes use of the microwave oven.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

For some appropriate side dishes, dress shredded carrots with a cumin, cilantro and lemon vinaigrette, and add almonds and raisins to couscous. Top it all off with pistachio ice cream and mint tea.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Salamander's chef, Stan Frankenthaler, combines mussels with spicy sausage and Thai flavorings, such as coconut milk and lime juice.

You can control the heat by adjusting the amount of chili oil used. Serve with swordfish, tuna or fried wonton chips.

Fragrant five-spice powder enhances the Asian accent in this marinade. Use it to marinate beef or chicken, and brush with the marinated while grilling. It is also delicious with seafood, but only needs to be brushed on during grilling. The recipe makes enough to marinate one pound of meat, poultry or seafood, with some left over to pass alongside. Any marinade coming in contact with raw meat, seafood or poultry must be boiled for one minute before using it for basting.

Mango sorbet and gingersnaps would be a lovely dessert.

In classic Chinese cooking, noodles destined for soup are cooked separately and added at the last minute so that the starch from the pasta doesn't cloud the broth. Because we were aiming for a rib-sticking dish, we broke with tradition and cooked the noodles right in the stock, allowing the starch to thicken the soup slightly.