Snack

Keep the fried shallots, dip, chips, and raw vegetables separately; just before digging in, top the dip with shallots.

These tender biscuit-like pastries are sprinkled with Greek cheese just before baking.

I'm still telling my friends about the cherry-almond coffee cake from the White Rose Inn in Emporia, Kansas. I had it for breakfast in the morning, then requested it again with my tea the same afternoon. Virginia Doser Corona Del Mar, California

Here's a light way with stuffed vegetables.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

These cake-like treats are moist and spicy-and great with milk.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Here's a nice way to use up those leftover hard-boiled Easter eggs.

No African-American summer picnic, North or South, would be complete without deviled eggs wrapped in wax paper. I remember that, as a child, part of the fun was unwrapping the eggs and seeing if some of the savory yellow insides had managed to squeeze out onto the paper, in which case I was allowed to lick it off. Years later, I was very surprised to learn that deviled eggs are also a part of the general culinary history of the South. There are even plates especially designed for serving this delicacy. To me they'll always be part of summer fun-hard-cooked eggs taken to the nth power.

This fruit ice is flavored with cinnamon and allspice. It is garnished with slices of peach, nectarine and plum; other seasonal fruit would work, too. Follow with iced espresso.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.