The Mix: old-fashioned oats, toasted coconut, honey, and sea salt 

The Story: My husband, John, spoils me by waking up early on weekends to start a pot of steel-cut oats.

The Mix: steel-cut oats with granny smith apples, raw walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, and balsamic vinegar 

The Story: Let other folks have their matzo balls and macaroons. The Passover dish I look forward to most is haroset. My family’s version is elemental: coarsely chopped granny smith apples, raw walnuts, freshly grated cinnamon, and nutmeg. A generous pour of Manischewitz dies the mixture a muted purple-brown color. It’s ugly and inexplicably delicious.