Snacks and Appetizers

Mini Quiches
You think caterers make theirs from scratch? Nancy's Petite Quiche in Classic French and Florentine flavors, $12 for 48; available at major supermarkets or see www.nancys.com for store locations.

Wasabi Peas
Think of them as the grown-up version of Chex Party Mix. Buy them by the canful. Hot or regular, they're addictive. Hapi wasabi peas, about $5 for 9.9 ounces, at gourmet and Asian food stores.

Small Ravioli
Fry these for 2 to 3 minutes in a shallow skillet of oil until crisp. Drain and serve with Chinese plum sauce or Thai nam pla (in the international section of supermarkets). Buitoni Four Cheese Ravioli, $3 for a 9-ounce package, at major supermarkets.

Guacamole
Using ready-made guacamole is easier than finding ripe avocados, so save yourself the stress and mess. Try mixing it with a spoonful of cilantro-spiked salsa. AvoClassic Guacamole, $4 for 16 ounces, at major supermarkets.

Frozen Cooked Shrimp
They thaw under hot running water. Instead of serving them with jarred cocktail sauce, put them on long wooden skewers with a wedge of lime, then stab them into whole limes. Contessa shrimp, about $15 for 1 1/2 pounds, in the freezer section of major supermarkets. Or see www.contessa.com for store locations.

Savories and Entrees

Thai Curry Paste
Heat it with a can of coconut milk. Stir in 1 pound of cooked shrimp or shredded chicken. Serve with rice. Thai Kitchen Green Curry Paste, $3.50 for a 4-ounce jar, at most supermarkets or www.thaikitchen.com.

Stuffed Shells
They're the perfect potluck entree. For a first course, serve individual shells in Alfredo sauce, drizzled with flavored oil and garnished with fried sliced garlic. D'Orazio Stuffed Shells, $7 for a 46-ounce bag (24 count), at most supermarkets.

Crab Cakes
With two boxes of these in the freezer, you have a meal for 6. Phillips Seafood Restaurants Maryland Style Crab Cakes, $17 for 6, at major supermarkets. Or go to www.phillipsfoods.com for store locations.

Dumplings
They're stuffed with vegetables, pork, or chicken. Serve with shredded stir-fried bok choy or bagged slaw. Ling Ling Potstickers, $9 for a 56-ounce bag (about 50), at Costco and most supermarkets. Or go to www.ling-ling.com for other locations.

Specialty Short-Grain Rice
Make a traditional risotto or paella by adding 1 teaspoon of saffron to the cooking liquid, then a slivered sweet pepper, sliced pepperoni, peas, and shrimp, chicken, or diced ham. Principato di Lucedio brand rice, $5 for a 1.1-pound bag, at gourmet stores.

Cookies and Treats

Buttermilk Currant Scones
Midmorning drop-ins? Not to worry with this scone mix on hand. Add water and butter, and bake while the coffee brews. King Arthur Flour Buttermilk Currant Scone Mix, $4.50 for a 1 1/4-pound package (makes about 15), www.kingarthurflour.com.

Palmiers
Crisp, flaky, and decidedly more ooh-la-la than Oreos. Stick one into a bowl of sorbet and fresh fruit and call it dessert. Sugar Bowl Bakery Petite Palmiers, $6 for 2 dozen, at Costco.

Amaretti
Serve these with coffee or ice cream. When you're finished with the cookies, use the tin for storage. It's the perfect size for 5 pounds of flour. Lazzaroni Amaretti di Saronno, $17.50 for a 1-pound tin, at gourmet food stores.

Macaroon Mix
Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside. This just-add-water mix from King Arthur Flour is truly regal. King Arthur Flour Coconut Macaroon Mix, $3.50 for a 1-pound package (makes about 3 dozen), www.kingarthurflour.com.