Peanut Butter

A couple of the best convenience foods of the century undoubtedly are peanut butter (introduced at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair) and chocolate chips (first sold by Nestle; in 1939). Separately, they are the basis of two of the nation's favorite cookies. Together, the ingredients are an unbeatable team.

Sue Ellison of Edgewater, Colorado, writes: "Although I have worked for more than 20 years as an elementary-school music teacher, at this point music is just my job; cooking is my passion. It's an interest I share with my daughter, Hannah. We do a phenomenal amount of cooking together. In fact, I think she learned how to count using chocolate chips, standing on a stool next to me at the kitchen counter while I baked chocolate croissants. Now Hannah's early training is paying off: She creates new recipes often, including the peanut butter and white chocolate candies here."

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 30 min

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A modern take on old-fashioned ice cream sandwiches and ice cream cone "drumsticks." For a rich, satisfying but lower-fat dessert, serve the delicious chocolate sorbet on its own without mixing in the peanut butter cup candies.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Add chicken or pork to turn this side dish into a satisfying main course. Chopped roasted peanuts are a nice garnish.

This Cambodian curry is traditionally made with beef, but Mao Sokhen says his American friends prefer the chicken variation. Though you can use any brand of Thai red curry paste and Asian fish sauce for this recipe, Mao likes the brands recommended below because he finds they produce a dish that is closer to classic Cambodian flavor.

Remember the commercial that re-created the invention of Reese's Peanut Butter cups? A woman is walking down the street eating a chocolate bar, and a man is walking the other way eating a tub of peanut butter. They bump into each other, causing the chocolate and peanut butter to mix. Overcome by the new taste sensation, they immediately check into a motel (I may be misremembering that last part). I've never cared for the chocolate-peanut butter combo, so if that idiot had ruined my chocolate bar, I would have pushed him into oncoming traffic. But my mom, who says she's going to have chocolate with peanut butter for her last meal, swears by these cookies. She thinks they're even better than traditional chocolate chip cookies.

Serve this Thai-style dressing over chilled pasta or mixed raw vegetables.

The following log cabins are basically a simple construction project. The directions for making them may seem long, but each one can be assembled in about 10 minutes with a bit of patience.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Allow at least three hours for the pie to chill in the refrigerator.

Arrange in boxes lined with waxed paper. Try simple take-out cartons tied up with raffia and decorated with small pinecones.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.