Neil Perry's Rockpool Coffin Bay scallops with braised capsicum and tomatoes: pan-seared scallops on a blanched pepper-tomato base, crisped herbs, and lemon-olive oil pan dressing.
Tex-Mex pizza topped with fresh diced tomatoes, jalapenos, cheddar, and Parmesan, finished with chopped avocado and sour cream. A Southwestern twist on homemade pizza night.
Navy bean red pepper and green bean salad tosses canned navy beans, blanched green beans, and matchstick red pepper in apple cider vinaigrette. A 10-minute summer side.
Uunissa paistettu hauki, the Finnish whole baked pike stuffed with rice, cucumber, hard-cooked eggs, chives and parsley, browned in butter and finished in the oven until firm and flaky.
Microwave creamy mushroom soup with fresh mushrooms, onions, sour cream, and Worcestershire. A quick single-serving soup ready in 15 minutes for two with no stovetop required.
Barbara's Applesauce Meat Loaf makes a lighter turkey meatloaf with oats and unsweetened applesauce for moisture, cooked in a microwave in just 10 minutes with a ketchup-mustard glaze.
The recipe was quite easy, and the mixture of coating added a layer of great flavor and texture to the succulent beef tenderloin. My family certainly enjoyed it!
Harissa sauce made with fresh or dried red chiles, garlic and a deeply aromatic Moroccan-style broth of chicken, chickpeas, saffron, cinnamon, orange peel and honey. A vivid North African accompaniment for couscous.
Cajun seafood gumbo with shrimp, lump crab, ham, and okra built on a dark cocoa-colored roux. Finished with file powder for authentic Louisiana flavor and body.
Country Captain Chicken: a classic Southern curried chicken dish with tomatoes, raisins, coconut, and almonds served over rice. Flour-dredged and pan-fried, then simmered in curry sauce.
Beef filet mignon crusted with chopped peanuts, chestnuts, and parsley, served with a ginger-orange August Moon sauce. An Asian-inspired steakhouse-worthy dinner.
Jumbo pasta shells stuffed with ricotta, lemon zest, chives, and chopped almonds, then drizzled with a bright lemon-Dijon vinaigrette. Served cold or at room temperature.
Oyster stuffing is the old-school American holiday classic: fresh oysters briefly poached in their own liquor, folded into buttery bread crumbs with onion, celery, parsley, and thyme. Coastal holiday tradition.
Vitello tonnato: classic Piedmontese dish of cold poached veal under a cool tuna, caper, anchovy, and lemon sauce. An elegant Italian summer main or antipasto, served room temperature.
Velvety roasted-color red pepper bisque finished with baby shrimp, bay scallops, and corn. A light, dairy-free puree with a tangy lift from tarragon vinegar and lime juice.
Rolled and stuffed lamb shoulder with breadcrumbs, bacon, orange zest, and fresh herbs, roasted and glazed with honey and orange juice for a sweet-savory Sunday centerpiece.
Argentine-style grilled flank steak with classic chimichurri sauce of parsley, garlic, jalapeño, oregano, olive oil, and red wine vinegar. Sliced thin across the grain.
Quick microwave Italian potato salad with new red potatoes, olives, bell peppers, and fresh tomatoes tossed in zesty Italian dressing. Ready in 25 minutes with no stove required.
Crab marinara with a pound of crab meat simmered in a from-scratch tomato sauce with fresh tomatoes, oregano, basil, and a kick of cayenne. Served over spaghetti or rice.
Rich steak and Guinness pie with beef chunks braised in dark Irish stout under buttery pastry. Classic pub food for St. Patrick's Day or cozy winter dinners.
Curried corn chowder pulses half the corn into a silky puree, then folds in whole kernels with onion, peppers, cumin, and curry powder. Dairy-free, light-bodied, and ready in 40 minutes.
A savory parsley and potato soup that is sure to warm you up during the cold winter days.
Blaff: traditional French Caribbean poached whitefish in a spicy broth of lime, allspice, thyme, garlic, and chili. A Martinique and Guadeloupe specialty for seafood lovers.
Wild rice cooked in cream sherry mingles with sweet roasted chestnuts and sautéed vegetables in this elegant stuffing that brings sophistication to your holiday turkey.
Vegetable lasagna layered with zucchini, spinach, mushrooms, and a red wine tomato sauce. Make-ahead and lighter than meat lasagna, with cottage cheese standing in for ricotta.
Crispy Fried Whole Fish with Bacon-Potato Salad recipe
Onion and mushroom bhajis are Indian-style fritters dipped in spiced yogurt batter and deep-fried golden. Crisp, vegetarian appetizer with turmeric, cumin, coriander, and chili. Makes 10 fritters.
Classic tabbouleh salad with bulgur wheat, fresh tomatoes, cucumber, mint, parsley, and a lemon-olive oil dressing. A no-cook Middle Eastern grain salad that improves as it chills.
Pan-seared chicken breast with leeks, lime and sundried tomatoes over zucchini noodles. Elegant, low-carb weeknight dinner with bright citrus finish.
Greek baked rabbit (lagos kounelli fournou) marinated for days in red wine and herbs, then slow-braised in a tomato-wine sauce warmed with allspice. A rustic, fall-off-the-bone game dish from the Greek countryside.
Seasoned beef meatloaf with oatmeal, thyme, nutmeg, and cayenne, bound with eggs and beef stock. Starts at high heat for a crust, then bakes low to stay juicy.
Deviled crab croquettes with Old Bay seasoning, mashed potatoes, hard-boiled egg, and green pepper, rolled in cracker meal and fried golden.
Moroccan wilted spinach salad with preserved lemon, cilantro, parsley, and a reduced garlic-paprika dressing. A warm North African salad unlike any spinach dish you know.
Vegetarian penne with sauteed fennel bulb, rehydrated dried tomatoes, broccoli, and pine nuts. A savory pasta tossed in the tomato soaking liquid for deep flavor.
Broiled crab melts on Melba toast rounds with lime, green onion, and hot mustard, topped with bubbling Swiss cheese. A two-bite appetizer for parties, ready in 20 minutes.
Classic Italian minestrone soup with kidney beans, cabbage, zucchini, green beans, and elbow pasta in a tomato-rich beef broth. A garden-vegetable soup built for cold nights.
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.
Wirsingroellchen are German Savoy cabbage rolls stuffed with ground leftover meat, parsley, and breadcrumbs, baked under a basting of sour cream. A thrifty, nutmeg-warmed classic from the old country.
Low-calorie chicken barley soup made from scratch with homemade defatted broth, pearl barley, green beans, and lemon juice. A hearty, satisfying soup without the fat.
Homemade long-grain and wild rice mix with brown rice, wild rice, thyme, and parsley. A DIY pantry staple that beats the boxed stuff and stores beautifully in an airtight container.
Cold poached trout in tomato aspic made from the poaching liquor, tomato sauce, and gelatin. An elegant chilled fish course garnished with parsley and lemon.
An elegant salad featuring shrimp, enoki mushrooms and blue cheese studded with a fresh made yolk based dressing and a variety of lettuces.
Fresh tuna and red potato salad dressed with low-fat yogurt, red wine vinegar, and cumin instead of mayo. Grilled yellowfin tuna, celery, and parsley make this a lighter, protein-packed main dish salad.
A one-pot cioppino with fish, shrimp, and clams in a slow-simmered tomato, white wine, and herb broth. Weeknight-friendly with just 10 minutes of prep and pantry-staple seasonings.
Creamed scallops in wine sauce, a retro microwave-friendly coquilles St. Jacques with mushrooms, white wine, and cream. Broiled golden in shells or ramekins for an elegant starter.
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.
Welsh cocklecakes deep-fried in a light batter with parsley, served alongside warm laverbread and lemon. A traditional coastal Welsh dish with crispy, briny fritters and seaweed.
Duxelles is a mixture of finely chopped mushrooms, shallots and herbs cooked in butter. It is used to flavor soups and sauces, as a garnish, and a stuffing. Take a thinly pounded pork chop, veal or chicken cutlet, or even a flank steak. Spoon the precooked duxelles down the center. Roll the meat and then sauté or roast it.