Written by Rosemary Mantini | 01 December 2010

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Easy Dinner Recipes
Butter Chicken
Brandy Cookies
Applesauce Coffee Cake
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I hate to draw your attention to this, but have you noticed how all the stores have already started hauling out the Christmas stuff? Decorative plates, ornaments, snowflake-themed serviettes? Too soon for all that, don't you think? Then again, that boy scout wisdom, "be prepared", rings clear and true at this time of year. Very soon, the end-of-year parties will begin, and your social calendar will be filled with reminders of this casual get-together or that formal cocktail party. Maybe you're even planning one of your own.

Preparing for all of these parties might leave you in a bit of a time crunch when it comes to dinnertime. No worries. I've compiled a few quick and easy dinner recipes that are as comforting at the end of a hectic day as they are appropriate for a dinner party. Do you need a quick meal for next week's potluck or a cake recipe for the staff party? How about a delicious cookie recipe that will have you looking forward to that annual cookie exchange? Be prepared. Everyone will be asking you for these recipes. Quick, easy, delicious … those, my friends, are the watchwords of the season. Here's another trick - use spices, a lot. Don't use too much in one dish; a pinch here and there is really what you're after. If there's spice in all (or, at least, most) of your recipes, you'll find that your's will be the most popular dishes. No one really enjoys eating bland food, and if you're worried about too much salt and fat, spices like cinnamon, cardamon, ginger and turmeric really satisfy.

Indian-inspired chicken recipes are easy and tasty. Serve over steamed rice with a simple salad for a healthy and complete meal. For an original hostess gift, attach a copy of the recipe to a box of Brandy Cookies. The Applesauce Coffee Cake recipe comes together very quickly and easily. Serve with a dusting of icing sugar and a cup of fresh, hot espresso.