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

An elegant but easy first course. Frozen artichoke hearts are used for the filling, and purchased gyoza or wonton wrappers replace homemade pasta.

Easy, do-ahead heart-shaped cookies to go with the strawberries.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

In the United States, mincemeat pies tend to be the size of regular pies, but this recipe yields the more diminutive British-style tartlets. If desired, top them with a dab of hard sauce, made by mixing softened butter with powdered sugar and a little brandy.

This soup is related to brotchán foltchep, a classic leek and oatmeal soup (also known as brotchán roy) that combines leeks, oatmeal and milk. This version is thickened with potatoes instead of oatmeal and flavored with chicken stock instead of milk. Serve it with savory whole wheat scones or slices of brown soda bread.

The roasted vegetables add great depth of flavor to this soup.

(Toasted Almond, Cinnamon and Chocolate Torte)

The classic almond mixture known as frangipane fills an almond crust. Sweet plums and a brandied glaze top it off.

Caramel-flavored apples combine deliciously with a crisp streusel topping. A bonus: There are plenty of juices from the pie to spoon over scoops of ice cream.

The almond-scented blueberry filling is sprinkled with a pecan topping.

Similar to the whipped feta spread at Papagus Greek Taverna in Chicago.

The creamy tequila-orange filling contrasts perfectly with the tart cranberry topping.

A rich, decadent frozen dessert that can be made ahead for a party.

To save time, simply skip the topping.