Nut

"For me, cooking has always been a way to wind down and relax," writes Mark Van Wye of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. "I'm a writer and I work from home, so depending on how busy things are, I can spend hours preparing a meal. But I also like to be ready to whip up dinner at the drop of a hat. The recipes here are just two of a handful of standbys I rely on when last-minute company is coming or a deadline has kept me out of the kitchen." This sophisticated starter would lend an elegant touch to any special meal.

"The Harmony House Inn in New Bern, North Carolina, is a beautiful old place with a comfortable, homey atmosphere," says Mary Ann Callahan, Binghamton, NY. "The Kirkpatricks, who run the inn, serve consistently delicious breakfasts. I've tried several of the breads and rolls, and they're all great. But the best thing going is the Heath Bar coffee cake." This cake has a sweet, crunchy topping, and it's easy to prepare. Serve as a breakfast treat or snack.

Swiss butter cookies with rich ganache filling.

Active time: 1 1/4 hr Start to finish: 6 1/4 hr (includes chilling)

It seems that we're always agreeing to bring a big salad to an informal dinner party only to discover, too late, that there's no time to make a last-minute salad. No one would guess that this wonderfully fresh salad started its journey to dinner two days earlier — in fact, it requires that extra time to mellow its flavors. It's a very portable salad that can sit for hours at room temperature with no ill effects.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 30 min

Active time: 35 min Start to finish: 1 hr (includes cooling)

This recipe can be doubled and baked in a 13x9x2-inch baking dish.

Don't be nervous about making these rich and spicy soufflés — they're durable enough to be reheated. And it's normal for the puffy tops to fall when you remove the soufflés from the oven. Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 1 hr

Frozen desserts seem especially festive — and no less refreshing — in the cooler months.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 30 min

"The Metropolitan Bakery in Philadelphia makes fabulous breads and other baked goods. My personal favorite is the carrot cake: It's moist and tender, and it's drizzled with a tart lemony icing," says John K. Wildemore IV of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. "I hope you can persuade the owner to share this recipe." Olive oil is the surprise ingredient in this recipe. The result is a rich cake that doesn't have even a hint of olive oil taste.

Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 40 min

People who turn their noses up at rice often find this tiny pasta irresistible. Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 40 min

This rich, satisfying main course would be nice with a salad of chopped fresh tomatoes, yellow bell peppers, black olives, and sweet onion. Crusty breadsticks round out the meal, which might end with a plate of assorted grape clusters and anise biscuits.

Instead of the usual salty spiced nuts before dinner, these are served after dessert, with coffee.