Toffee Banana Family Tree Cake

Celebrate this summer's reunion with a cake displaying your family tree. To get it to the picnic, cover it with a cake dome, or place toothpicks at 2-inch (5 cm) intervals around top edge and drape with plastic wrap, then transport it in a cooler.

Chile Rellenos

A bit time-consuming, but worth the effort, these cheese-stuffed and fried peppers are a Mexican staple. Fresh poblano peppers are mildly hot and darker green with more tapered tips than sweet green peppers. If they are unavailable or if you want a milder version, use small sweet red or yellow peppers.

Portobello Asparagus Strudels

Fresh Fruit Platter

Sweets and treats abound at holiday parties, so fresh fruit is always welcome by guests who want to refresh their palates or are watching their waistlines. White Chocolate Cheesecake Dip makes the fruit even more enticing to those who aren't. Serve about 1 cup (250 mL) of cut fruit per person.

Balsamic Grilled Red Onions

Don't forget onions as a dish on their own. Grilling brings out their sweetness, balanced by the balsamic vinegar seasoning to make a great side dish for grilled meats.

Apple Muesli

As well as muesli making a quick, healthful and satisfying breakfast with yogurt and fruit, it's also a good snack to send in the lunchbox for a quick pickup when children are on their way home.

Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad

This salad is simple to assemble for a quick family meal.

Rumpot

This mix of fruit preserved in rum is a fabulous way to enjoy summer fruits right through the winter spooned over ice cream or pancakes. Begin preparing the mixture when strawberries are in season and add seasonal fruit right into fall. Each addition should be about 1 lb (500 g) of prepared fruit. To have the Rumtopf ready by December, make the last addition by the first week of October.

Cappuccino Martini

Serve this creamy martini after dinner as an alternative to the usual coffee and cake. If available, Starbucks Coffee Liqueur is the choice of the Test Kitchen.

Tropical Tutti-Frutti Punch

This refreshing fruit-and-cream concoction makes a great centrepiece for a children's party or a backyard barbecue with tropical food. Although coconut allergies are very rare, make sure your guests know that the punch contains coconut milk.