10,000 carob recipes

Thai fried noodles with shrimp are a fast, pad-thai-style stir-fry of rice vermicelli, shrimp and egg in a sweet-salty-sour fish sauce and lime glaze, finished with bean sprouts, peanuts and cilantro.

Mexican cheese dip made in the microwave with cheddar, jalapenos, garlic, tomatoes, and a quick roux for thickness. A from-scratch queso dip ready in about 10 minutes, no Velveeta needed.

Hot and spicy roasted almonds tossed in butter, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, cayenne, and garlic powder, then finished with coarse salt. An addictive bar snack ready in 30 minutes.

Chicken and mushroom soup with thinly sliced chicken breast poached in broth, finished with sesame oil and sherry. A quick Asian-inspired clear soup for two, ready in 15 minutes.

Crispy tortilla pizzas topped with fresh tomatillo salsa, chili-rubbed chicken strips, red onion, and melted cheddar. A fun Southwest twist on pizza night.

Grilled Italian shrimp and salami skewers served warm over fresh mozzarella with a balsamic vinaigrette drizzle and fresh basil. Antipasto on a plate, ready in about 20 minutes from the grill.

Savory Gorgonzola and leek crème brûlée: silky blue cheese custard with sweet sautéed leeks, torched to a bubbling Parmesan crust. An elegant first course that turns brûlée savory.

Lobster tails in patty shells spoons sweet lobster meat in a sauterne-spiked cream sauce with mushrooms, olives, and pimento into golden puff pastry shells. A retro special-occasion dinner straight from the supper-club era.

Layered burrito casserole stacked with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, Monterey Jack cheese, green chilies, and flour tortillas. All the burrito flavor without the rolling.

Easy Mexican chicken casserole with cubed chicken breast, mild green chiles, tomatoes, and cream of chicken soup baked under melty cheddar. A 7-ingredient dump-and-bake weeknight dinner.

Moroccan-spiced beef brisket braised with turmeric, ginger, tomatoes, and briny green olives. Seared, slow-braised, chilled to defat, then reheated for fork-tender slices.

Grilled shark steaks with a soy-orange-ketchup marinade, basted on the grill until the meat flakes. Swordfish or salmon steaks work as substitutes.

Cheesy asparagus Boboli pizza tops a pre-baked crust with cooked asparagus and a souffle-light mayo, Parmesan, and egg-white topping that puffs golden in the oven. A 25-minute spring appetizer pizza.

Spinach dip in a bread bowl with cream cheese, water chestnuts, nutmeg, and cayenne. Hollow out a round loaf, fill it up, and rip bread to scoop.

Chicken cacciatore braises bone-in chicken pieces with Italian plum tomatoes, onions, green pepper, garlic, and mushrooms in a herby tomato sauce. The Italian hunter's-style classic that gets better the longer it simmers.

Crispy phyllo pastry nests filled with sauteed mushrooms, walnuts, soy sauce, and a hint of nutmeg. Elegant bite-sized appetizers that can be prepped weeks ahead.