Recipes with salt

Chocolate hazelnut raspberry thumbprints: chocolate-cocoa cookies rolled with ground toasted hazelnuts, indented and filled with raspberry jam. Three dozen elegant holiday cookies.

Greek village salad (horiatiki) layers wedge-cut tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, green pepper, onion rings, and black olives under a sharp oregano-garlic vinaigrette. No lettuce, no fuss, all summer.

Khombi Tarkari, spicy Indian mushrooms dry-fried with ginger, green chilies, turmeric, and roasted cumin seeds. A bold vegetarian side served warm, room temperature, or cold.

When Christmas arrives, make sure your glass is full with this creamy drink that is full of holiday spirit!

Rustic vegetarian stew with carrots, leeks, red potatoes, and briny olives simmered in herbed vegetable broth. A one-pot meal that's naturally low in fat and full of earthy flavor.

Grandma's cinnamon rolls with bread machine dough, a brown sugar-cinnamon-nut filling, and a maple-coffee glaze drizzled on hot. Soft, pillowy, and from scratch.

Old-fashioned sugar cookies made with butter and oil for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb. Rolled in sugar and pressed flat, these bake up with soft centers and lightly crisp edges. Makes 3 dozen.

Peanut butter thumbprint cookies filled with cherry preserves. Soft, nutty peanut butter dough with a jewel-toned jelly center in every bite.

Baingan bharta, an Indian roasted eggplant relish with charred eggplant, tomatoes, mustard seeds, cumin, turmeric, and green chili. Smoky, spiced, and served warm or at room temperature.

Pasta shells stuffed with tofu, mozzarella, mushrooms, and red pepper, baked under a fresh fennel and tomato sauce. A lighter, plant-forward spin on stuffed shells.

Overnight ham souffle (strata) layered with French bread, cheddar, mushrooms, and olives in an egg custard. Assemble the night before and bake in the morning.

Moist, low-fat chocolate cake made with pureed prunes instead of butter and topped with a tangy orange glaze. Deeply chocolatey with barely any fat, and no one will guess the secret ingredient.

Cheesy potato and egg casserole layers sliced potatoes, hard-boiled eggs and tomato in a sharp cheddar and sour cream sauce, topped with crumbs and baked golden. A comforting vegetarian side or brunch bake.

Taco salad with a fresh cumin vinaigrette, toasted tortilla chips, cooked turkey, ripe avocado, and cheddar. Lighter than the diner version with a sharp dressing in place of creamy sauce.

Old-fashioned Banana Spicecake with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves baked into two 8-inch layers. Triple-sifted flour and the alternating technique give this layer cake an exceptionally light, tender crumb.

Lamb casserole with butter-toasted rice, mushrooms, tomatoes, and onions baked in beef stock. A comforting one-dish meal that turns leftover cooked lamb into a satisfying dinner.