American

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

Clam Chowder

Shucked clams, carrot, potato, celery, onion and heavy cream make a scrumptious pot of soup.

Cook time: 40

Servings: 4 people

Chinese American-style bang bang bang chicken

It bears nothing in common with its Chinese ancestor except for the spicy chili-based sauce, but this dish of fried chicken fillets tossed in sweet chili mayo is just as satisfying.

Cook time: 6

Servings: 4 people

Marbled butterscoth and chocolate brownies

Easy-to-make (no, you don’t have to prepare the butterscotch and choocolate batters separately) and budget friendly, these two-tone brownies make an ideal holiday food gift or potluck contribution.

Cook time: 40

Servings: 16 brownies

Brighten up your holiday table with this lovely dessert. I recommend baking it a day ahead. Keep in the fridge in a tightly covered container (chilling firms it up and makes cutting easier, and the bars come out cleaner and neater) then cut into rectangles or squares just before serving.

Cook time: 30

Servings: 36 dessert bars