Photography by Eric Johnson • Prop Styling by Angela Harbison and Marcy Spanogle Hawley

Eating light, Italian-style, is not a contradiction in terms. In Italy, the typical diet consists of fresh vegetables, heart-healthy olive oil, chicken and seafood, moderate amounts of red meat and red wine, and few desserts, except for fruit.

Now that warm weather is here and our bodies long for lighter fare, give the following recipes a try. They’re not hard to make, so you’ll have more time for that very Italian tradition—enjoying a leisurely meal in the company of those you love.