Snack

Smoked salmon and cream cheese pâté

A chunky spread that be served as a dip or slathered on bread or crackers, this smoked salmon and cream cheese spread can be made ahead, in bulk, and kept in the fridge for a day or two.

Cook time: 0

Servings: 3 cups

Scrambled eggs, ham and potatoes

My beloved breakfast and afternoon snack as a child, fried potatoes and scrambled eggs seasoned simply with salt was comfort food to the max. In this recipe, I threw in salty Chinese ham and sweet yellow onion for a more complex flavor.

Cook time: 10

Servings: 2 people

Ham and macaroni salad

Boiled macaroni, cubes of salty ham and cheese, sweet crushed pineapple, pickle relish, sliced celery and chopped carrot are tossed with mayo to make this lovely pasta and meat salad.

Cook time: 10

Servings: 6 people

Boozy fruit-and-nut butterscotch brownies

Made with roasted walnuts and candied fruit peel soaked in cherry brandy, you get a subtle burst of juices from the candied peel and the contrasting crunch from the walnuts with each bite. Think of these brownies as chewy fruit cake in small doses.

Cook time: 30

Servings: 12 brownies

Blondies (butterscotch brownies) with peanut butter and chocolate chips

Made with dark chocolate morsels, pecans and Reese’s peanut butter morsels, I baked these butterscotch brownies for my husband's birthday many years ago. He loves butterscotch brownies, you see.

Cook time: 20

Servings: 12 brownies