Pear Salsa

Asian pears, red onion, Serrano chiles, fresh cilantro, fresh mint leaves, and lime juice combine together to make a delicious and fragrant salsa, excellent for serving with good tortilla chips.

This pear salsa is also delicious spooned over fish fillets, such as halibut or salmon.

Gruyère Prosciutto Scones

These Gruyère Prosciutto Scones are soft and flaky, and loaded with the nutty flavor of Gruyère cheese and the salty flavor of Italian dry-cured ham.

Fresh from the oven, these ham and cheese scones ooze cheese when you break them apart. I took "just a taste" of one while it was still warm, and didn't stop until I'd polished off an entire scone.

Instant Pot Creamy Steel Cut Oatmeal with Apple Raisin Compote

This Creamy Steel Cut Oatmeal with Apple Raisin Compote is so easy to prepare in the Instant Pot (or an electric pressure cooker). With this recipe, you will get the perfect texture every time.

The apple raisin compote adds just the right amount of sweetness to the oatmeal, and the steel cut oats will help you get lots of fiber and protein into your diet and will carry you through to lunchtime.

Multigrain English Muffins

Homemade English muffins with whole wheat, wheat germ, and rolled oats.

Split these multigrain English muffins with a fork, toast them, and slather them with butter for breakfast. You can also add some jam, or even use these for a breakfast sandwich.

Mushroom, Sausage, and Spinach Strata

This mushroom, sausage, and spinach strata is easy to make. It's prepared on the stovetop in a skillet, and then transferred to the oven to finish.

Mushroom, Sausage, and Spinach Strata is a savory and tasty egg dish. It's wonderful served at breakfast or brunch, and, paired with a salad, as a light dinner.

Carrot and Raisin Slaw with Cumin Yogurt Dressing

Carrot and Raisin Slaw with Cumin Yogurt Dressing, including garlic, coriander, and mint.

This shredded carrot and raisin salad is light and savory. It's not the sweet carrot and pineapple salad you might remember from PTA potlucks. Instead, it's a crunchy slaw flavored with ground cumin, ground coriander, and shredded mint.

Chunky Shrimp and Smoked Salmon Spread

This shrimp and smoked salmon spread with Worcestershire, green onions, and lime juice is heaven on a cracker.

If I could be the authority regarding food groups, appetizers would be at the bottom of the food pyramid. I'd be happy just having appetizers for dinner... or even breakfast.