Puff Pastry

The empanadas can be put together ahead of time and popped into the oven to bake just before serving.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 45 min

These simple tartes aux pommes are great with vanilla ice cream. What to drink: Barton & Guestier 1999 Sauternes "Tradition."

Savory tarts and quiches are traditional in Alsace cooking. The tart and the<epi:recipelink id="102385">Salade Vigneronne epi:recipelinkcan be enjoyed as separate courses, or together.</epi:recipelink></epi:recipelink>

Can be prepared in less than 45 minutes.

This tart was inspired by a specialty of the Engadine region of Switzerland. It has golden layers of puff pastry that surround a honey, caramel and walnut filling.

These cheese straws may be assembled and frozen ahead of time and then baked at the last minute, as described in the procedure. Alternatively, they can be put together and baked the day before serving and kept in an airtight container, though they will not be as crisp as just-baked cheese straws. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Prepared puff pastry makes this easy.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

The 1970s saw perhaps the biggest change in cooking in this century. That's when a group of talented young chefs in France came up with "nouvelle cuisine," emphasizing fresh ingredients, elegant presentation, and interesting and unusual combinations of foods and flavors. American chefs quickly imported it and made it into something uniquely their own. For our take on this landmark in contemporary cooking, we've shaped purchased puff pastry into individual tartlet, filled them with pistachio frangipane and sliced pears, and topped it all off with a sweet-wine glaze.

These easy-to-make treats are delicious on their own or with fresh fruit. Keep them in mind for a hostess gift.

This tart is a snap to put together, thanks to purchased puff pastry. The square shape is something different for the summer table.

Supermarket staples — puff pastry and fruit jams — are transformed into delicate teatime treats that require very little effort.

This appealing do-ahead dessert, perfect for a picnic, can be formed ahead and frozen. Just thaw, then bake and cool.