Quick

A traditional bûche de Noël is a French Christmas specialty made from a thin sponge cake that's iced, rolled up, and decorated to look like a Yule log. Here, we've created a simpler single-serving version that makes a great project with kids. Yodel snack cakes stand in for the rolled-up sponge cakes, and the fun comes from decorating them with frosting, candies, and anything else you wish.

Make this side dish a day or two ahead. On Thanksgiving, reheat it in the oven or microwave.

Make up to three weeks ahead and freeze. Defrost before the big day.

Toss with the vinaigrette while rice is warm, so it absorbs the flavors.

Papaya brings a fresh twist to the traditional tomato salsa.

You can slice and dice the ingredients for these no-cook pizzas in advance, but serve them right after assembly so the flatbreads don't get soggy.

Chilies, lime juice and mint enhance the flavor of our Thai Summer Rolls .

The trick to this tasty combo is slicing the tomatoes ultra-thin. For added ease, buy presliced salmon at the supermarket.

Be sure to drain and rinse the chickpeas well before using.

To dress this salad, choose your favorite red-wine or lemon vinaigrette.

A diced confetti-style hash is a great way to use leftover meat and vegetables.

Broiling the tomatoes adds rich flavor to the sandwich. This recipe can easily be cut in half. For convenience, use your favorite tomato sauce.

SERVING SUGGESTION: Delicious after dinner with coffee.

This spice mix includes the same seasonings as those used to flavor India's clay-oven-baked tandoori chicken. SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Rub under the skin of a whole chicken before roasting; add to a pan sauce for seared scallops; sprinkle over cauliflower before sautéing; mix with yogurt and use as a marinade for leg of lamb.

Royal icing is a pure-white, sticky icing that dries to a hard finish. Royal icing is used for delicate piping on cookies and gingerbread houses. Its  bright white hue makes it a good option for tinting whatever color you like. 

These fried cheese crisps are fun to make, so enlist a few guests to help if you decide to make them at the last minute.

Serve with steamed rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.