Recipes with olive oil

Mexican-style pickled jalapeno chilies blistered then packed with carrot, onion, and garlic in a vinegar brine sealed with olive oil. Taqueria-style escabeche for the pantry.

Authentic Texas chili con carne with cubed beef (no beans), simmered in a paste of rehydrated ancho and pequin chiles. Slow-simmered for 90 minutes of deep, smoky heat.

Yummy chicken curry: tender curried chicken in a quick, creamy sour cream sauce with sweet golden raisins, ready in about 20 minutes. A fast, mild weeknight curry that skips the coconut milk and the long simmer.

Grilled fish salad bruschetta piled onto garlic-rubbed Italian bread with charred zucchini, eggplant, peppers and a lemon-basil fish flake topping. Summer entertaining at its most relaxed.

Crostini topped with a chunky artichoke and white bean spread brightened with lemon and basil, finished with crumbles of oven-crisped prosciutto. An easy Italian appetizer built from pantry staples.

Garlicky whole wheat focaccia studded with provolone and fresh oregano, dimpled and drizzled with toasted garlic oil that pools in every dent. A hearty semolina crumb under a crackly, golden top.

Rack of lamb marinated in red wine vinegar and coriander, roasted at high heat, then finished with a warm bacon and Dijon mustard vinaigrette built from the pan drippings.

Eggplant and cheese quiche with sauteed eggplant, Parmesan, Swiss, shallots, and a cream-egg custard in a pastry shell. A Julia Child-inspired French classic.

Braised lettuces with escarole, Belgian endive, and Boston lettuce seared golden then oven-braised with garlic, herbs, and white wine vinegar. Finished with a cream reduction sauce.

Breakfast lasagne with sliced ham, gruyere, mozzarella, ricotta, and a mustard-spiked bechamel. Layered in a 13x9 pan for a brunch crowd of six to eight.

Pan-broiled steak with tomatoes sears thick sirloin in olive oil, then finishes under a quick garlic-oregano tomato sauce. A rustic Italian one-skillet supper, ready fast.

Grilled lamb shoulder chops marinated in fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, rosemary, garlic, and olive oil. Simple Mediterranean flavors, just 10 minutes on the grill.

Fettuccine with grilled summer vegetables: smoky charred eggplant, zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, and onion tossed with mashed roasted garlic, basil, and thyme over hot pasta.

Basil parmesan bread for the bread machine, made with whole wheat and bread flour, Swiss and parmesan cheeses, and dried basil. A savory loaf that smells like an Italian bakery and slices into perfect sandwich bread.

Grandma's favorite summer dish can now be yours with this simple recipe that's extremely easy to understand.

Shrimp risotto with fresh Roma tomatoes and sun-dried tomato pesto stirred into creamy arborio rice. White wine-glazed shrimp spooned on top to finish.