Snack

Sue Ellison of Edgewater, Colorado, writes: "Although I play guitar and piano, and have worked for more than 20 years as an elementary-school music teacher, at this point music is just my job; cooking is my passion. It's an interest I share with my daughter, Hannah. We do a phenomenal amount of cooking together. In fact, I think she learned how to count using chocolate chips, standing on a stool next to me at the kitchen counter while I baked chocolate croissants." Roasted pine nuts add a southwestern accent to this lightly sweetened granola. Once the granola has cooled, leave it in large chunks for a snack or crumble it into bits for a cereal topping. Either way, it will keep up to one week if stored airtight.

The rice grains puff slightly during frying, making these crackers wonderfully light and crunchy. They are also a great alternative to croutons on soups as well as salads. This recipe is an accompaniment for Purslane, Meyer Lemon, and Pear Salad With Makrut Lime Vinaigrette and Jasmine Rice Crackers.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

(Savory Stuffed Pastries)

Offer some butter cookies alongside this dessert, which makes a lovely presentation.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. This recipe originally accompanied Tapenade Goat-Cheese Crackers.

Also nice with crudités and grilled chicken.

This sensational caramel filling complements any kind of nut, so mix and match to suit your own taste.

Old-fashioned (and high fat) favorites take a lighter turn when prepared with nonfat yogurt or low-fat mayonaise; radishes and herbs give the eggs a modern twist.

These cookies are rolled in confectioners' sugar while warm, which gives them a thin buttery frosting.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

You can use any type of good-quality olive in this spicy dish, but an assortment of black and green olives looks particularly nice.