Bland supermarket button mushrooms shrink and shrivel when sautéed. We wanted more flavor and more mushrooms.

The ultimate weeknight dinner, this salmon is on the table in less than 15 minutes from the time the pan hits the stove. With the addition of the fish fillets, the pan temperature drops; compensate for the heat loss by keeping the heat on medium-high for 30 seconds after adding them. If cooking two or three fillets instead of the full recipe of four, use a 10-inch skillet and medium-high heat for both preheating the pan and cooking the salmon. A splatter screen helps reduce the mess of pan-searing. Serve salmon with a sweet and sour chutney (see related recipe), a fresh salsa, an herb-spiked vinaigrette, or squirt of lemon or lime.

Trying to feed a group of rather talkative women inspired life member Dorothy Bush Turner to come up with this seafood salad. “I was to attend a meeting of about 50 women quilters at a potluck supper,” she explains. “I wanted to prepare something cold because we talk so long that hot things get too cool.” She wasn’t inspired by the recipes she found, so she created her own. “I live in shrimping country on an island, and seafood is always appropriate and welcome,” Dorothy says. “I made a big pot of this dish, and not one piece was left.”

This chowder, made with half-and-half instead of cream, has a lighter consistency than traditional, heavy chowders. Be sure not to let it come to a boil because it will curdle. It can be made early in the day, but wait to cook the shrimp until just before serving so they don’t overcook.

PER SERVING: 340 calories, 21.5 g total fat (10.5 g saturated fat), 21 g protein, 16 g carbohydrate, 175 mg cholesterol, 645 mg sodium, 2 g fiber

The closing of her favorite Mexican restaurant spurred life member Emily E. Lane to try to recreate a much-loved dish. Although she runs a baking business from her home, this is the first original recipe Emily has developed. It’s full of shrimp and crab, and covered with a creamy cheese sauce.

PER SERVING: 460 calories, 23.5 g total fat (12.5 g saturated fat), 27.5 g protein, 33 g carbohydrate, 130 mg cholesterol, 1180 mg sodium, 1.5 g fiber

Life member Meg Campbell says she loves to entertain. For one holiday party, she had to create a dish that would appeal to a guest from China, who didn’t like American food. Meg decided to use shrimp, vegetables and linguine, figuring that the pasta would be a reasonable substitute for Asian noodles. Her solution worked. The dish was received enthusiastically, and the guests cleaned their plates. Meg recommends serving the pasta with garlic bread.

PER SERVING: 305 calories, 7.5 g total fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 24.5 g protein, 34.5 g carbohydrate, 165 mg cholesterol, 505 mg sodium, 3.5 g fiber

Nothing is fresher than tender spring vegetables. Treat them simply and with bright flavors as in this sauté of leeks, carrots, peas and shrimp. Use 12 ounces of fresh peas in their pods to get about 1 cup fresh peas. Serve over couscous or rice.

TIP *If using frozen peas, add with shrimp.

PER SERVING: 210 calories, 8 g total fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 20.5 g protein, 14 g carbohydrate, 160 mg cholesterol, 550 mg sodium, 4 g fiber

To prepare the asparagus for this salad, we found that broiling concentrates the flavor of the asparagus and lightly caramelizes the peel. We prefer to use thin (under 5/8-inch) asparagus under the broiler-this lets us skip the peeling step and allows the spears to cook more evenly.

Do not substitute lowfat or skim milk for the whole milk in this recipe. To ensure a sticky and crisp topping, make the topping just before baking. Walnuts can be substituted for the pecans.

This moist cake gets even better when served with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.