Cajun red beans and rice cooked in the microwave with ham, onions, garlic, and cayenne pepper. A Louisiana Monday night staple that simmers hands-free in a microwave-safe casserole.
Tomato-cheese pie with a buttery breadcrumb crust, fresh sliced tomatoes, basil, green onions, and a Swiss cheese custard. A savory summer pie that works for brunch, lunch, or a light supper.
Greek spanakopita with fresh greens, feta, eggs, and herbs wrapped in buttery phyllo pastry. Warm spices like cinnamon and allspice give this savory pie its traditional depth.
Very healthy and nutritious salad. Flavor is great too.
Potato salad supreme with celery, scallions, and olives, served at room temperature for the fullest flavor. A versatile, no-cook side dish ready in 20 minutes.
Oven-baked risotto with peas, scallions, brown rice, and rosemary. A no-stir, hands-off Italian-style rice dish with no constant ladling required. Done in 45 minutes.
Overnight layered salad with chicken, spinach, lettuce, cheddar, and radishes sealed under a tangy mayonnaise-mustard dressing. Make it the night before and toss to serve.
Walnut and Roquefort salad with romaine, chicory, avocado, and scallions in a white wine vinaigrette. A French bistro-style salad with bold blue cheese, toasted nuts, and creamy avocado.
Layered chalupa dip with mashed avocado, refried beans, taco-seasoned sour cream, chopped tomatoes, scallions, and cheddar cheese. A no-cook Tex-Mex party dip.
Fettuccine tossed with a no-cook tomato, basil, and yogurt sauce. A light summer pasta that skips the cream and comes together while the noodles boil.
Gazpacho verde is a chilled Spanish green soup of spinach, arugula, cucumber, and scallions blended with lime juice and olive oil. Vivid, herbaceous, and fully vegan.
Roasting concentrates flavors without adding fat and lends a buttery-soft texture.
Sauteed shrimp and rice with fresh corn, white wine, basil, and thyme cooked in one pan. Summer weeknight seafood dinner ready in 40 minutes, equally good cold the next day.
Easy new potato salad with skin-on baby potatoes folded into creamy dill dressing and fresh green onions. Make it the day ahead so the flavors mingle and the spuds drink in the herbs.
Crustless carrot and cheddar quiche baked in a water bath for a silky, custard-like texture. Made with skim milk and grated carrots for a lighter take on quiche.
Grilled sea scallops in an Asian sesame marinade with hoisin, soy sauce, ginger, and dry sherry. Marinated overnight and skewered over charcoal.
Butterflied shrimp topped with a buttery crab, scallion, and hot-sauce stuffing, microwaved fast for an easy two-person seafood dinner. Ready in 30 minutes flat.
No-bake curry cheese tart appetizer with cream cheese, cheddar, sherry, and pureed chutney pooled in the center. A retro party spread served chilled with crackers.
Blue cheese potato salad with red-skinned potatoes, sour cream, scallions, and celery salt. A tangy, creamy potato salad with no mayo, skins on, and bold peppery flavor.
Wok-fried ginger crabs with garlic, scallions, rice wine, and a light-dark soy sauce blend. A fast Chinese-style crab stir-fry that goes from wok to table in minutes.
Oyster-artichoke soup is a New Orleans classic with briny oysters, tender artichoke hearts, and a butter-flour roux base. Make it a day ahead so the flavors deepen overnight before reheating.
Pressed bean curd soup with pan-fried tofu, green peas, tomatoes, corn, and a savory broth of soy sauce, dry sherry, and sesame oil. A hearty vegetarian Chinese soup.
Smoked sausage and fruit kebobs thread smoky pork with pineapple, peaches, and green pepper, then glaze everything with apricot Dijon for a sweet-savory grill skewer ready in about 10 minutes on the coals.
Dilly brunch pockets are folded corn tortillas stuffed with scrambled eggs, Canadian bacon, fresh dill, tomato, and cheddar. A baked, handheld brunch dish that feeds six and bakes in 20 minutes. Make-ahead friendly.
Wild rice cucumber salad with red bell pepper and scallions, tossed with your favorite dressing. A nutty, crunchy grain salad that's naturally vegan and high in fiber.
Spaghetti with shrimp and mushrooms tossed in a creamy egg, Parmesan, and mustard sauce. A carbonara-style pasta with stir-fried shrimp, scallions, and optional anchovy paste.
Basil-Vegetable Saute with zucchini, bell peppers, scallions, and fresh basil, ready in 15 minutes. A low-calorie, vegan side dish that works alongside grilled meats or pasta.
Skewered lamb grilled on bamboo skewers with a silky roasted red pepper and tomato dipping sauce brightened with fresh coriander. Served over aromatic rice for a weeknight-friendly twist on kebabs.
Chinese stuffed tofu pockets filled with seasoned ground pork, deep-fried until crusty, then simmered in chicken broth with dried mushrooms and fresh peas.
Korean-style hot chili beef soup with braised beef, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, green onions, garlic, and toasted sesame seeds in a rich, spicy broth. Slow-simmered for deep flavor.
Kuo Fan Gee Chiu is a Szechuan-style diced chicken stir-fry with dried red chilis, bamboo shoots, and straw mushrooms. Velveted chicken, no-bland heat.
Garlicky pork and asparagus pancakes, savory Asian-style egg pancakes loaded with ground pork, scallions, and fresh asparagus. Served with a sesame dipping sauce.
Cheddar cheese and jalapeno peppers definitely make this corn bread a super star.
Beef and pork chili with four pounds of ground meat, pinto beans, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, cumin, and oregano simmered for two hours. A big-batch, no-shortcuts meat chili topped with cheddar.
Chilled salad soup with diced tomatoes, cucumber, green onions, and celery in tomato juice with vinegar and oil. A no-cook gazpacho-style cold soup.
Salmon fillets baked in foil between layers of shredded potato, then broiled until the potato crust turns golden. Served with a white wine and shallot butter sauce for an elegant, French-inspired dinner.
Quick chicken stir-fry with tomato wedges, fresh ginger, garlic, and teriyaki glaze. Marinated chicken goes from wok to table in minutes.
Chunky garden gazpacho with fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumber, and celery in a tomato sauce base with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and honey. A no-cook chilled soup.
Grilled green onion tarts on puff pastry with swirled new potatoes, melted provolone, and crispy bacon. Individual savory tarts that combine grilling and baking for smoky, cheesy bites.
Mama Blue's shrimp patties: Gulf shrimp bound in a thick béchamel with green onions, hot sauce, and paprika, then breaded and pan-fried golden. A Lowcountry shrimp cake with a rich, silky center.
Fresh corn, tomato, and okra stew sauteed in butter with green onions and garlic. A Southern summer vegetable stew made with produce straight from the garden.
Grilled butterflied leg of lamb rubbed with crushed rosemary and marinated in red Burgundy wine, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. No mint, just herbs and smoke over mesquite charcoal.
Deep-fried tofu stuffed with seasoned ground pork, then simmered in chicken broth with mushrooms and green peas. A classic Chinese clay pot dish with crispy, meaty filling.
Lomi lomi salmon: a traditional Hawaiian luau side of diced salt-cured salmon, ripe tomatoes, sweet onion, and green onion, served ice cold in hollowed tomato shells.
Mexican fiesta tart in a cornmeal pastry crust layered with jalapeño Monterey Jack, sharp cheddar, tomatoes, zucchini, olives, and bell pepper. A savory, cheesy Tex-Mex tart served warm.
Florentine pie is a crustless baked spinach and cheddar custard set in a rice and Parmesan shell. Light, egg-white based vegetarian main seasoned with nutmeg and scallions.
Vegetarian vegetable soup with an Indian twist: ghee-toasted ginger, garlic and onion form a roux base, then mixed vegetables, tofu and soy sauce join in a warming 30-minute bowl.