Snack

The genteel ladies’ tea, at which guests wore hats and white gloves and nibbled tiny sandwiches, was very much a part of home entertaining during the thirties. Borrowed from the British, it was a trend that flickered and then died out, but has now come back in homes and hotels across the country. These modern tea sandwiches are more savory than sweet, and would go well with a glass of Sherry if you’re in need of something a little stronger than Earl Grey.

Tuna would also work well in this recipe. Use a combination of black and white sesame seeds for dramatic contrast. Don't forget to provide a bowl for the toothpicks.

These buttery cinnamon cookies are David's all-time favorite. Make them and you'll see why.

Michael P. Hooley of San Francisco, California, writes: "While I was in London, I went to Fortnum & Mason and had a delicious currant-filled pastry called an Eccles cake. Would it be possible to get the recipe?" These sweet pastries are named after the town in Lancashire where they originated.

Jacqueline Willis of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, "Recently I had a superb chocolate soufflé at the Ercole Ristorante Italiano in Calgary. It was made with milk chocolate — a subtle but delicious variation. I would love to be able to re-create it for friends at home. " The restaurant calls this dessert a warm chocolate mousse, but it reminds us of soufflé. These may collapse quickly after coming out of the oven, so wait until each person has been served before topping with ice cream.

Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 3 hr

The tart cherries brighten the classic flavor of almond in this tortoni.

"While visiting Los Angeles recently," says Katherine Mollen of New York, New York, "I made sure to get to La Brea Bakery. The ginger scones were the best I've ever had. Since there's nothing that comes close here in New York, I'd like to try to make them at home."

We like to think of these as an American version of gougères.

This may be an unusual combination of ingredients and flavors for empanadas, but the pairing of cabbage, blue cheese, and walnuts is a classic that makes a wonderful cold-weather dish. While these empanadas would serve as a delicious and hearty vegetarian main course with the addition of rice and beans, I love these flavors with pork.

Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 45 min

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 30 min

The graham craker crust provides a crunchy base for the rich, creamy filling.

"During parents' weekend at Bowdoin College here in Brunswick, a group of us went to Rachel's Wood Grill, a restaurant in nearby Portland," says Jennifer Buechner of Brunswick, Maine. "Dinner was great, but the tiramisù we had for dessert was out of this world. I'd love to serve it for a graduation dinner." A perfect do-ahead dessert for a party.

"I have never had a better dessert than the sticky toffee pudding at Beginish Restaurant in Dingle, Ireland," writes Judith Gilbard of Forest Hills, New York. "I hadn’t heard of the restaurant before this visit, so I was pleased to stumble across such a find. Do you think the owners, John and Pat Moore, would share their recipe?" At the restaurant, this dessert is served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Though the chips and purée can be served at room temperature, the caviar should be chilled, so assemble these hors d'oeuvres in batches as platters need replenishing.

Purchased puff pastry simplifies this flavorful starter. What to drink: Open a bottle of Champagne or Sancerre to pour with the cheese twists and the Corn and Lobster Chowder.