Puff Pastry

You can buy a cooked chicken and frozen puff pastry for this dish. Both make this pot pie a very easy family meal.

Don't worry — you won't need a giant oven for this king-size tart. It's made in 4 quadrants, baked one at a time. And because the recipe uses packaged puff pastry, it's fairly simple to prepare.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Serve these pastries as the first course of a special-occasion supper — maybe with a bottle of chilled Champagne.

These hors d'oeuvres are light, flaky and absolutely addictive. They are also simple to prepare and make a big impression — just what you want in party food.

The crusts for the tartlets are as simple as frozen puff pastry cut into small rounds.

This modern take on a classic French dessert saves time by using frozen puff pastry.

A favorite of my mom's and a bit of an ethnic twist! It tastes best if freshly made. Direction #5 is very important, otherwise the triangles will look pale and sickly. Also, don't roll the sheets. The puffs will not be as flaky.

Purchased puff pastry and almond paste help make an elegant dessert in minutes.

To get the look we wanted for this tart, we used grapes in assorted colors and shapes and halved the larger ones. Taste grapes before making the pastry cream. Their flavor will determine how much sugar you use— if the grapes are tart, use 1/3 cup sugar; if sweet, use 1/4 cup.

Serve this with sweetened whipped cream.

Michael P. Hooley of San Francisco, California, writes: "While I was in London, I went to Fortnum & Mason and had a delicious currant-filled pastry called an Eccles cake. Would it be possible to get the recipe?" These sweet pastries are named after the town in Lancashire where they originated.

Purchased puff pastry simplifies this flavorful starter. What to drink: Open a bottle of Champagne or Sancerre to pour with the cheese twists and the Corn and Lobster Chowder.

Offer a small salad of baby greens with a shallot and tarragon vinaigrette.