Starter
Roasted Garlic, Onion and Red Bell Pepper Dip
By Brad Avooske
Curried Beef Puffs
A favorite of my mom's and a bit of an ethnic twist! It tastes best if freshly made. Direction #5 is very important, otherwise the triangles will look pale and sickly. Also, don't roll the sheets. The puffs will not be as flaky.
By Maggie Shi
Snappy Red Bell Pepper Dip with Shrimp
You can prepare this brightly colored dip up to two days ahead.
Garlic Cheese Fondue
The fondue is the centerpiece of a casual dinner with the LaGuardias. They insist that whoever drops the most bread into the pot is stuck with cleanup duty.
Majorcan
Known as coca, this is the traditional street food of Palma. The name derives from the Latin verb coquere, which means "to cook". Shaped in a long oval or rectangle, baked in a wood-fired oven and sold in room-temperature squares, coca is usually eaten as a snack, but it can also be a great starter for a casual meal. Unlike its Italian counterpart, it is covered only with vegetables, never with cheese. There are sweet cocas and special holiday versions, too. When made with frozen bread dough, coca is a snap to prepare.
Chiles Rellenos
Traditionally, chiles rellenos are batter-coated and fried. This version is baked with a lighter cheese filling.
Weekday Vegetable Soup
By Enid Lelchook
Almond-Stuffed Green Olives
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.