Whether it’s just your family or a small gathering, a charcuterie board or assortment of small-plate items can provide plenty of nourishment in a more casual way. End the evening with some decadent chocolate cupcakes (continuing the single-serve theme), and everyone will go to bed happy.

Love to Cook: Two recipes that are worth the time, if you have it, both to hunt down the ingredients and to prepare/bake: The Cupcake Project’s Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake and Josey Baker’s Adventure Bread (via David Lebovitz) – a flourless, gluten-free, hearty loaf that is just delicious. Serve with a classic heirloom tomato-basil salad, an assortment of cheese and sausages, and some fresh blueberries.

Weeknight Reality: A multi-grain loaf from the grocery bakery, sliced, spread with goat cheese and topped with cherry tomatoes and basil, served with a platter of sliced, grilled sausages and a green salad with seasonal herbs and fruit (blueberries, mint, peaches, perhaps) will leave plenty of time to make these easy chocolate cupcakes, topped with fresh whipped cream instead of frosting.

Need a Miracle: Aidell’s sausages are our go-to brand; all varieties are tasty, and they’re free of nitrates. For the tomato salad, toss some cherry tomatoes, halved, in olive oil, lemon juice, salt and basil (or prepared pesto). Add pre-cut fruit, a box or two of Raincoast Crisps, a log of goat cheese and some cupcakes from the bakery, and you’re set.