
Fruit-Filled Ice Ring
A fruit-filled ice ring will melt more slowly than ice cubes, which means it won't water down your punch.
Prepared Horseradish
Use to liven up Bloody Marys, or stir into sour cream as a sauce for roast beef.
Poached Apples with Vanilla Yogurt
Thick and creamy vanilla bean-infused Greek yogurt replaces the usual dollop of whipped cream for a delicious and low-fat dessert.
Cumin-Scented Quinoa and Black Rice
You can substitute any color of rice or quinoa to make this gorgeous (and healthful) salad, which works as a vegetarian main course or hearty side dish.
Potato, Sausage, and Spinach Breakfast Casserole
Start breakfast by making a potato pancake, then cover it with sausage, eggs, and cheese and bake until puffed and golden.
Pan-Seared Salmon with Pumpkin Seed-Cilantro Pesto
We swooned over deputy food editor Janet McCracken's pumpkin seed and cilantro pesto when she made it in the BA Test Kitchen. Now we use it on rice, pasta, roasted vegetables, and chicken, too.
Eggplant and Beef Stir-Fry
Top sirloin, flank steak, or skirt steak work just as well as eye round in this Thai-inspired dish.
Shaved Root Vegetable Salad
Slice the red beets last and keep them separate until serving so their color won't bleed onto the other vegetables.
Brown Butter, Ginger, and Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Make this crumbly cake a day ahead; the early risers will thank you.
Golden-Brown Omelet
Customize this one to your liking, from the fillings to the doneness.
Togarashi Popcorn
Look for shichimi togarashi, a Japanese seasoning mix, at Japanese markets and savoryspiceshop.com.
Blue Cheese-Bacon Focaccia
For the softest dough, use a potato ricer or simply mash the potatoes until smooth.
Pot-Au-Feu
This hands-on French feast of vegetables and cuts of meat boiled in a savory broth is traditionally served in courses. It begins with the bone marrow on toast, then follows with the broth and the meats and vegetables. Feel free to serve it all at once, providing plenty of toasted bread and savory condiments for dipping.
Orange-Blossom-Honey Madeleines
These little citrus-scented cakes cook in just 10 minutes, which means that if you prepare the batter ahead of time and bake them right after the table is cleared, you can serve them warm for an extra-special touch. They're especially delicious dipped into Ginger-Yogurt Mousse with Pistachio Meringue .