Snack

Make sure to use at least a 5-quart saucepan so the oil won’t bubble over.

A Japanese or French mandoline is great for slicing vegetables uniformly—anywhere from very thin to thick—and takes much less time than slicing by hand with a knife.

Yuca is a starchy root with tough, brown skin, crisp, white flesh, and a mild flavor. It is also known as cassava.

Frico, or “little trifles” in Italian, are very thin and crisp. When sprinkling the cheese mixture in the skillet, don’t worry if there are spaces; the cheese will melt into a lacy whole. In Italy, frico are traditionally made with Montasio cheese, but other cheeses, such as Cheddar, Asiago, and Parmesan, produce excellent results.

This lively guacamole can also be served as a dip with tortilla chips. If you want to make it a day ahead, be sure to press plastic wrap directly on the surface of the guacamole to prevent browning.

These crackers use powder made from dried mushrooms ground with a mortar and pestle or in a spice grinder.