This is a mildly spiced Indian classic in miniaturized form. Pappadams, an Indian cracker bread, are available as mini-size snacks from Shikar brand in Indian grocery stores and some supermarkets. They come in a variety of flavours (including our favourite, black pepper), and one container will have more than enough for this recipe. Or serve on toasted pita wedges, rice crackers or melba rounds.
In addition to fresh fruit, offer guests a choice of poached fruit. Use golden Calimyrna figs.
Brown butter gives this spread both caramel and nutty flavours, which pair exceptionally well with the bright pear flavour.
The secret to perfectly done kabobs is to leave a bit of space between ingredients on the skewer.
Although this crunchy cereal isn't a low-calorie version of granola, the heart-healthy monounsaturated fats found in peanut butter and almonds make it a better choice than cereals and cereal bars that contain trans-fatty acids. Dried blueberries and cranberries are loaded with antioxidants, but you can use any dried fruit you have on hand.
At other times of the year, replace the matzo meal with an equal amount of dry bread or cracker crumbs.
Wanda Beaver, a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and owner of Wanda's Pie in the Sky in Toronto, has transformed the old-fashioned pie into a thing of beauty. Wide-fluted lattice tops and generously sized pies are her trademarks, as are her creative combinations of fruit. Here, it's peaches with raspberries and blueberries. Her secret? "All our pies are handmade, and all our ingredients are fresh." That sounds like a recipe for success.
This is a simple 6-ingredient recipe handed down to me by my mother (back then it was called the "Poor Man's Casserole). It is hearty, tasty, and filling, and loved by all the men in my family. The recipe can easily be doubled, with second casserole refrigerated and reheated.
