1,078 ahead recipes

Frozen three-layer German torte with a crisp meringue base topped with chocolate, raspberry, and vanilla sherry-kissed sabayon mousse layers. A showstopping make-ahead dessert finished with shaved chocolate and chocolate kisses.

Grilled baby artichoke and white bean salad with thyme, red onion, and a lemon-Dijon vinaigrette with olives. A make-ahead Mediterranean side that improves as it sits in the fridge.

Marinated mushroom salad with vinegar-poached mushrooms, blanched carrots, celery, and bell peppers dressed in oregano olive oil. A make-ahead antipasto-style cold salad.

One-crust apple crumb pie with a buttery brown sugar and nut topping over tart apples spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Freezes unbaked for an easy make-ahead dessert.

Stuffed pitta breads loaded with spice-rubbed roasted lamb, herbed couscous, griddled eggplant, and black olives in a balsamic-ginger dressing. A make-ahead meal that starts with an overnight marinade.

Better than sex cake is a four-layer chocolate-pecan icebox dessert: a buttery pecan shortbread crust, sweet cream cheese, chocolate pudding, and whipped topping. A make-ahead potluck legend.

Overnight porridge with cracked wheat, rolled oats, molasses, and dried fruit soaked overnight then cooked in minutes. A hearty, make-ahead whole grain breakfast with no added sugar.

Freezer burritos with mashed black beans, rice, sauteed onions, garlic, and tomato sauce rolled in flour tortillas. A vegetarian make-ahead meal prep staple that freezes beautifully for fast lunches or breakfasts.

Crispy fried wontons stuffed with ground pork, minced prawns, dried mushrooms, and water chestnuts. A classic Chinese appetizer that fries golden in 2 minutes and freezes beautifully for make-ahead entertaining.

No-bake Special K cookies with peanut butter, corn syrup, and sugar. Just five ingredients, ready in 20 minutes, and they freeze beautifully for make-ahead treats.

Low-fat marinated vegetable platter with crisp broccoli, carrots, celery, red pepper, olives, and artichoke hearts in tangy Italian dressing. Make-ahead appetizer that gets better as it chills.

Baked chicken liver pate with brandy, sage, thyme, and cream, molded in juice cans and rolled in fresh parsley. A make-ahead appetizer that freezes well for up to 3 weeks.

White bean salad with a blended lemon-dill dressing, garnished with sieved hard-cooked eggs, black olives, and green onions. A make-ahead cold salad with Russian roots.

Homemade Kahlua: a rich coffee liqueur from a slow-simmered coffee syrup, vanilla and vodka. Cheaper than store-bought, make-ahead, and a great gift for cocktails or pouring over ice cream.

Chicken and spinach quiche with melty Swiss cheese, basil-spiked custard, and a flaky pre-baked crust. A make-ahead brunch favorite that uses leftover chicken and pantry staples.

Oasis carrot salad boils carrots tender then marinates them in garlic-onion-vinegar dressing, finished with fresh cilantro and parsley. A bright, make-ahead North African-style side.