For fluffier mashed potatoes, try this: After boiling and draining the spuds, return them to the pot. Stir over low heat for several minutes, until all the moisture has evaporated, and then mash as usual.

You loved our cornbread hors d'oeuvres baked in mini-muffin tins, so we found a way to make them even more scrumptious. Mix in one of the sweet, savory, or spicy flavor combinations listed in the recipe below, or create your own. You'll have appetizers to feed an army, or at least a few dozen of your closest friends.

Get the Cornbread Bites Recipe

Here's a sweet idea: Use leftover candy to create a make-it-yourself ice cream sundae party. Simply chop the treats into bits, and set them out in small bowls so everyone can choose a favorite topping. Our assortment includes candy sticks, toffee bars, and chocolate-covered almonds, but any candies or nuts will work well.

Prosciutto is a delightfully crisp accent for soups, pastas, and salads. Arrange the prosciutto slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. For the crunchiest texture, allow the prosciutto to cool before serving.

Sachets of aromatic herbs, such as the classic bouquet garni of thyme, parsley, and bay leaves, add flavor to simmering soups, stews, stocks, and braises. But fishing these cheesecloth bundles out of the pot can be difficult. The next time you use one of the herb packets, tie a length of butcher's twine to the sachet, and then tie the loose end to one of the pot's handles. (Be sure the twine stays clear of the burner.) When the time comes, the bouquet garni will be easy to retrieve and remove.