1. Soak the skewers in water for 30 minutes (a large baking dish works well for this). Place oil, salt, pepper, cumin, aji amarillo, chili powder, thyme, and garlic in a zip-top plastic bag. Seal the bag and gently shake to combine. Add the shrimp and tomatoes, seal the bag, and then massage the outside of it to make sure each shrimp gets coated with marinade. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.| Frances Largeman-Roth
Mezze (or meze or mezzeh) is a Middle Eastern style of eating that involves shared dishes or small plates that can make up an entire meal. A common food that is served as part of mezze is hummus, that garbanzo bean dip that Americans just can’t get enough of. I love this creamy and not-too-garlicky version from my book, Everyday Snack Tray. Don’t skip cooking the chickpeas in the baking soda—that’s what helps soften them, allowing the hummus to blend up silky smooth.| Frances Largeman-Roth
OK, let me explain. It’s true that while we often pair everyone’s favorite creamy spread with sweet things like jelly, peanut butter can also play well with savory ingredients like cheese. I love how the cheese combines with the creamy peanut butter to make a sensa- tional sammie, but it may not be your jam (see what I did there?). Still, if you’re a PB lover, I recommend giving this fun recipe from Everyday Snack Tray a try.| Frances Largeman-Roth