This works as well for a dinner party as it does for a soccer team party. The key is to create a kid-centric event that seems like an arts and crafts project but is really Pizza 101. Find a friendly pizzeria who will sell you some dough and half the job is finished.

Here's a bonus recipe for your weeknight repertoire that lets you get reacquainted with that kitchen workhorse, the broiler.

The mystique of North Africa is captured in richly flavored recipes such as this one, which are abundant in fruits and aromatic spices. Serve this rich, slow-grilled chicken dish over fluffy couscous or saffron rice.

A surefire dinner favorite, these mashed potatoes are lightened with reduced-fat cream cheese, skim milk, and a homemade, lower-fat pesto featuring basil and spinach.

Smoked jalape¿os are called ¿chipotles.¿ They have all the heat of jalape¿o peppers, plus a mellow smoky flavor. Look for chipotles en adobo in Mexican or Latin American groceries or large supermarkets.

Spring is prime time for fresh asparagus and new potatoes. Both are showcased here in a frittata, the classic Italian omelet. Use a broiler-proof skillet, as the frittata finishes cooking under the broiler.

Kabobs are a fun way to serve fruit for parties, and a cool dip adds extra pizzazz. Seasonal substitutes, such as fresh peaches, nectarines, and plums or mangoes, add flavorful variety.