Mozzarella

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Honey flavors both the syrup and the filling in these delicate pastries. In the Middle East they are usually stuffed with nuts or cheese. Mozzarella is included in this version, which may seem unusual in a sweet filling, but it prevents the ricotta from becoming runny. The pine nuts are like little eggs resting in their nests.

Bettina says that this recipe is one of her delicious and dependable standbys.

In her cookbook Fiesta!, Anya von Bremzen included a recipe by the Jackson Heights (Queens, New York) "arepa lady," known simply as Piedad. Though arepas are a common South American breakfast item (as well as a lunch and dinner starch), what makes hers so special is the luxurious inclusion of butter in the dough and the use of milk instead of water. We've adapted the recipe slightly.

These hors d'oeuvres should be served warm, so reheat the arepas in batches as platters need replenishing.

Offer deli-bought orzo salad tossed with slivered basil and Kalamata olives, along with some grilled red pepper quarters. Raspberry gelato in sugar cones would be a cool dessert.

Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 25 min

For a meatless pizza, skip the prosciutto and add sautéed sliced portobello mushrooms.

Active time: 1 1/2 hr Start to finish: 2 hr

A delicious take on lasagne, made with tube-shaped pasta instead of long noodles.