10,000 maine recipes

Crispy deep-fried beef fritters that turn leftover roast beef into golden, crunchy bites. Chunks dipped in egg batter, dredged in seasoned flour, and fried hot. A smart way to use up the Sunday roast.

An old-fashioned Mexican beef chili: diced beef braised with garlic, cumin and oregano in a smooth purée of dried chiles, served with a border of fried refried beans. Real chiles, real depth.

Crown rack of veal, a showpiece roast with a Romano breadcrumb crust, filled with a rich Creole-style oyster stuffing and served with a reduced pan sauce. A centerpiece for special occasions.

A fresh basil-garlic burger sauce: mayo whisked with Dijon, lemon, olive oil and plenty of garlic and basil. A herby, creamy upgrade from ketchup that's great on burgers and beyond.

Shrimp scampi broiled in a bright white wine, lemon, and herb sauce with shallots, basil, and oregano. A light, fast seafood dinner that is ready in about 20 minutes.

Chicken pad thai: soaked rice noodles stir-fried with chicken, egg, and a sweet-sour-salty tamarind sauce, finished with peanuts, bean sprouts, and lime. Better than takeout in 30 minutes.

Always popular sausage is homemade breakfast sausage patties seasoned with sage, thyme, allspice, nutmeg, and a little brown sugar and cayenne. No casings needed, just mix, shape, and freeze. You control exactly what goes in.

Margarita-braised chicken thighs go from a paprika-dusted sear into a boozy braise of tequila, orange juice, lime, and sweet dried tropical fruit. Juicy, citrusy, and built on forgiving boneless thighs.

Oven-barbecued beef short ribs, marinated in soy and cider vinegar, braised fork-tender, then basted with barbecue sauce and roasted until sticky and well browned. Fall-off-the-bone ribs, no grill required.

Steak au poivre, sirloin pressed with a bold crust of cracked peppercorns, chilled overnight, then seared and oven-finished. Sliced thin and brushed with a bright lemon butter, this is French pepper steak done simply.

Crispy golden fried oysters, dredged in seasoned flour, egg, and crumbs, then deep-fried hot and fast. Plump and briny inside, shatteringly crunchy outside, and made for dunking in tartar sauce.

Easy tuna noodle casserole made from pantry staples: egg noodles, cream of mushroom soup, and tuna, baked under a crunchy paprika-dusted breadcrumb topping. A budget-friendly weeknight comfort classic.

Chipotle grilled trout rubbed with a smoky paste of chipotle peppers, walnuts, and parsley, then grilled fast. The walnuts thicken the rub into a pesto-like crust. Great with hush puppies and salsa.

Rack of lamb seared, brushed with Dijon, and pressed with a garlicky rosemary-thyme breadcrumb crust, then roasted to a rosy medium-rare. Finished with a quick basil pesto pan sauce for an elegant dinner-party centerpiece.

Chipped beef on toast: browned ground beef folded into a creamy milk gravy and spooned over toast. Classic SOS comfort food, hearty, cheap, and on the table in about 20 minutes.

Cajun crawfish fettuccine in a rich cream sauce with onion, celery, scallions, and a kick of cayenne. A Louisiana-style pasta dinner ready in 25 minutes.