Oat

Thick, oversize pancakes that will satisfy even the hungriest eaters.

"While on vacation in central Utah, I stayed in Bicknell at a wonderful place called The Lodge at Red River Ranch," writes Nancy Schmauder of University Place, Washington. "The granola was a breakfast treat worth getting up for." This crunchy granola has a touch of sweetness from honey and brown sugar. It makes a great breakfast served with milk, or a good snack eaten plain. Note that it can be made up to two weeks ahead.

The twist here is that the praline is made with oats rather than nuts.

Founded in Boston in the nineteenth century, Schrafft's shops soon became renowned for the quality of their candies, ice creams, and especially their cookies. Eventually they opened several stores in New York City, but according to food writer and food historian Judith Jones, true Schrafft's cookie aficionados believed that the Boston version of their oatmeal cookies was superior, and so they would travel to Boston by train to buy them. This recipe is based on the original Schrafft's formula but I've added some dark brown sugar for the rich color and flavor that it imparts. This is a soft, pleasantly chewy cookie, with plenty of raisins and nuts.

Proof that strawberries aren't the only kind of fruit that's perfect with shortcakes.

These are also nice for breakfast. Just top them with nonfat vanilla yogurt instead of the frozen yogurt suggested in the recipe.

Swedish cooks use lots of buttermilk, and the lingonberry jam suggested as an accompaniment to these incredibly light pancakes is a typical Swedish condiment.

This free-form apple pie is shaped and cooked on a baking sheet—eliminating the need for a pie dish. Using milk instead of water in the crust makes it tender.

Summer's luscious cherries topped with oats, almonds, brown sugar and cinnamon.

Serve this granola with fruit and yogurt for a delicious breakfast. Or sprinkle it over ice cream to jazz up dessert. Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 30 min

They're delicious served warm with butter, preserves or honey.

Using meat loaf mix — a combination of ground beef, veal, and pork — ensures a juicy result. While the meat loaf cooks, mash some potatoes and boil some green beans. Warm apple pie from the bakery is a perfect finale.

St. John's Jug Muffins "I was given the recipe for these muffins years ago, and I make a batch of the batter every winter," writes Judith Cadigan of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania."When the urge for a muffin strikes, you can bake just one instead of a whole batch, and put the remaining batter back in the refrigerator." Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 1 hr

A modern recipe from a modern woman: This is based on a recipe from my friend Joanne Rosen, a high-powered attorney who balances her torts and tarts, her husband and her children, with great finesse. Accompany the scones with English clotted cream (or crème fraîche) and honey.