Lentil Salad With Beets and Ginger Total time: 1 hour 2 lentils, preferably French Le Puy 3 medium beets, about one bunch 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar Salt and freshly ground black pepper.

WATERCRESS SALAD 2 bunches unblemished watercress 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar Salt to taste if desired Freshly ground pepper to taste 6 tablespoons corn, peanut or vegetable oil 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped red onion 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley.

Arugula and Hard-Boiled Egg Salad 1/2 pound arugula leaves 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 4 tablespoons olive oil 2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and sliced 1 cup red onion chopped coarse 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley.

Spinach Salad Total Time: 25 minutes 6 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced 1 pound fresh spinach, well rinsed and dried 2 strips bacon 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons chopped shallots 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 5 tablespoons sherry vinegar Salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Green Beans and Endive Salad 1 pound fresh green beans 2 large Belgian endives 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 4 tablespoons olive oil 4 tablespoons finely chopped red onions 4 tablespoons finely chopped parsley.

Arugula Salad 1/2 pound arugula 1/2 pound red onions, thinly sliced 1/2 cup chopped parsley 1 1/2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan or Romano cheese.

Coriander Vinaigrette Sauce 1 small red bell pepper, cored and seeds removed, cut into large pieces 1/2 cup sliced white onions 1 clove garlic, peeled 1/2 cup fresh coriander, loosely packed 1/2 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

Shrimp and Spinach Salad Total time: 30 minutes 1 pound fresh spinach, well rinsed and dried 2 strips bacon 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 pound peeled, deveined shrimps, split in half 2 tablespoons chopped shallots 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 5 tablespoons white-wine vinegar Salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Cucumber Salad With Yogurt 3 medium cucumbers 3 tablespoons white-wine vinegar Salt to taste 1/2 cup yogurt 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 2 teaspoons honey 2 tablespoons finely chopped dill or fresh coriander Freshly ground white pepper.

Watercress and Hard-Cooked Egg Salad 2 bunches unblemished watercress 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar Salt to taste if desired Freshly ground pepper to taste 6 tablespoons peanut, vegetable or corn oil 2 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and sliced or chopped 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped red onion tablespoon finely chopped parsley.