Gourmet

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 30 min

An obvious friend to bacon and eggs, these lacy cakes are also good with almost any roasted meat or bird. The sweet-salty flavor and crispy texture are irresistible and appeal to those not usually fond of sweet potatoes.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 45 min

Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 30 min

This jam is tasty on toast alone, or with some Manchego cheese. Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 2 1/4 hr

Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 40 min

People who turn their noses up at rice often find this tiny pasta irresistible. Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 40 min

Active time: 35 min Start to finish: 1 hr

Thakkali Rasam We liked this soup on its own, but in India it is frequently served over rice and topped with a spoonful of warm ghee.

Instead of the usual salty spiced nuts before dinner, these are served after dessert, with coffee.

You might be tempted to bake 2 sheets of cookies at a time in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Don't give in to this urge — the cookies must go in the middle of the oven to cook through and brown evenly.