Spinach and cheese pie with a homemade yeast crust, stuffed with wilted spinach, mozzarella, black olives, and raisins for a savory-sweet Italian-inspired bite.
Green chili stew with ground turkey, four cans of diced green chilies, zucchini, corn, and canned tomatoes seasoned with cumin and garlic. A hearty Southwestern one-pot stew ready in 45 minutes.
Cheese puff muffins made with choux pastry dough, sharp cheddar, eggs, and a hint of cayenne. Crispy outside, hollow and airy inside. A savory twist on classic French gougères.
Cooking grains the foolproof way: two parts water to one part grain, rinse first, simmer covered, never stir. Works for quinoa, rice, millet, and farro. The basic ratio every home cook should know by heart.
A spicy soup that can be served hot or cold. Fresh baked biscuits are a nice accompaniment.
Spicy fruit compote simmers dried fruit in port wine with cinnamon, cloves, and lemon, finished with fresh banana. A warming dessert or breakfast topping for yogurt, ice cream, or pancakes.
Potato soup with lemons: a bright, golden purée flavored with lemon zest, ginger, and slow-simmered onion. A naturally creamy potato soup with zero dairy.
Chilled raspberry dessert soup with strawberry wine, maple syrup, and lemon, thickened with arrowroot. Served cold with sour cream and fresh berries for an elegant summer starter.
Classic German chocolate cake: three light layers of sweet chocolate cake with whipped egg whites folded in, stacked with a cooked coconut-pecan frosting made from evaporated milk and egg yolks. The real, from-scratch version.
This savory vegetable stock is quick and easy to make and is perfect to use when making soups.
Bread machine dried tomato and rosemary bread with olive oil, paprika, and bread flour. A savory, herb-scented loaf with just 5 minutes of hands-on prep.
Cheddar cheese casserole bread baked in round dishes with sharp cheddar mixed into the dough. No kneading required, just mix, rise, and bake two crusty loaves.
Green chile rice casserole layered with sour cream rice, canned green chiles, and Monterey Jack cheese. A creamy, mildly spiced Southwestern side dish that bakes in about 30 minutes.
Homemade vegetable broth simmered 3-4 hours with onions, garlic, carrots, celery, leeks, potatoes, and soy sauce. Freeze in containers for a rich, low-fat base for soups and stews.
Poached chicken breasts cooked gently in an aromatic broth with carrot, onion, celery, and peppercorns, then left to cool in the pot for juicy, sliceable meat. The base for chicken salad, sandwiches, and casseroles.
Brown rice pilaf with toasted pine nuts, sweet raisins, garlic, and fresh parsley. A Middle Eastern-inspired whole grain side dish with nutty texture and bright herbs.