Nectarine

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 25 min

A finale that is great on its own or served with some whipped cream that has been accented with brown sugar.

This recipe yields more ginger syrup than you'll need for the fruit salad. Add a spoonful to a glass of club soda, sparkling water, or iced tea for a refreshing summer drink. Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 2 1/2 hr (includes chilling)

For this recipe we call for a 13 1/2- by 4- by 1-inch rectangular tart pan with a removable fluted rim; you could also use an 8 1/2- by 1-inch round tart pan (both have about a 3 3/4-cup capacity).

I was first tempted to serve these with a dollop of crème fraîche, or vanilla ice cream, but I resisted because I didn't want to dilute their flavor, and I was right to do so, for the balance of flavors is perfect. Muscovado sugar is a very dark, usually organic, unrefined sugar from Madagascar. If you can't find it, simply use dark brown sugar.

Since just about any combination of fruits will work for the topping, this recipe can be used all year long.

We admit we've never been big clafouti fans, but this recipe won us over. It's the lightest version of the dish we've ever had. In the fall and winter, innkeepers Bob and Caroline Taylor like to make this dessert with pears, flavoring it with powdered ginger.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 6 hr

This is best eaten the day it's made — left to sit longer, the cake can get a bit soggy from the fruit.

If you're making this entire menu, we recommend assembling the cobbler and putting it into the oven just before you begin grilling the steak. That way, the cobbler will be cool enough to serve after you have finished eating the main course and cleared the table.

A sweet summer treat that comes together quickly (nectarines rarely need peeling). You may want to serve ice cream alongside, but some softly whipped cream is also delicious.

These cookies are also good on their own.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.

Strawberries, blueberries, nectarines and vanilla ice cream team up in a quick sundae.

Here's a terrific twist on the classic fruit-and-shortcake theme.

These pretty tartlets can be made one day ahead. Arrange them in a single layer in a shallow plastic container for transporting.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 25 min

This fruit ice is flavored with cinnamon and allspice. It is garnished with slices of peach, nectarine and plum; other seasonal fruit would work, too. Follow with iced espresso.

You can make the syrup a day ahead; however, add the fruit no more than eight hours in advance, to prevent it from getting soggy.