Snack

A savory onion-cheese spread turns ordinary packaged biscuit dough into inspired mini appetizer "pizzas."

A Scandinavian table is seldom without them.

A perfect partner to salad. Accompany with a platter of celery sticks and radishes with their tops attached.

Smoked salmon enhances this innovative version of a classic. Potato stands in for half of the yolks to cut fat and cholesterol.

(Chick-Pea Dip with Parsley and Pine Nuts)

These chicken wings need to marinate for at least 8 hours — we recommend putting them in the refrigerator before you go to bed so they'll be ready for roasting the next day. The deep, almost beeflike flavor of these wings comes from the red wine in the marinade; both the wings and the mayonnaise get a boost from the Spanish smoked paprika.

This recipe is a variation on the classic Jewish honey cake, which is traditionally eaten at joyful celebrations such as betrothals, weddings, and the New Year, when it symbolizes the hope that the future will be sweet.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 45 min

I first tasted this Cantonese pickle in a commercial version that I bought in Seattle's International District. The pickle contained stem ginger, in thick pieces so tender that you could eat them right along with the other vegetables. If you happen to grow your own ginger, by all means use the stems in this recipe. Otherwise, include the ginger just as a flavoring. The children who have tasted this pickle love it just as much as the adults do.

These large, hearty cookies are a fairly recent addition to the American repertoire, appearing sometime in the latter half of the twentieth century. Most ranger cookies contain rolled oats and coconut, and some also include pecans and crushed corn flakes. Despite the name, the cookies don't seem to be connected with the Texas Rangers or Texas, or with any particular part of the country, for that matter. These cookies have a rich, satisfying taste and toothsomeness that gives them great staying power and appeal. They are particularly good with a glass of milk.

These would make nice presents, too.