Chef's Choice: Easy Entertaining

Whew! Thanksgiving has passed and now the calendar hurtles through December toward the end of the year.

With bargains galore luring shoppers into local stores, a new ice rink and so many wonderful holiday events around town, little time remains to spend in the kitchen. Even so, our calendars magically overflow with parties, celebrations and get-togethers, most requiring the gift of a creative and festive appetizer, side dish or dessert. Never mind that we still have to prepare weeknight dinners and, of course, the gala event. And then there's New Year's Eve.

Busy planners have a variety of options. Some are...