589 spring recipes

Everyone loves this dish, even those who don't particularly like egg plant. The flavor virtually explodes with a lively combination of sweet, spicy, tart and savory followed by the refreshing crunch of fresh water chestnuts. Serve as a side dish or first course for Western menus.

A vegetarian take on sushi – a one bowl meal, which can be made in advance, keeps well in the fridge and makes for a great lunchbox. If you are going to make it ahead, store the dressing separately until you are ready to serve.

Tofu lovers will love this savory dish made from shiitake mushrooms, soy sauce and Japanese cucumbers.

Tex-Mex double-crust beef and bean pie stuffed with ground beef, kidney beans, black beans, cheddar cheese, and chunky picante sauce. Topped with sour cream and olives for the ultimate taco night twist.

This recipe uses ready-made taco shells, but soft tortillas are good too.

Hearty summer pasta and lentil salad with green lentils, pasta shells, crunchy veggies, cherry tomatoes, and a garlicky Dijon vinaigrette. Topped with pine nuts for a protein-packed potluck favorite.

If you're having guests over, then try serving this succulent seafood dish that will have everyone giving compliments to the chef.

Louisiana-style shrimp and chicken gumbo with smoked sausage, the holy trinity, and a dry-roasted oven roux. No-mess deep brown roux that drives serious Cajun flavor.

Chunky beef chili: cubed beef chuck simmered low with tomatoes, green pepper, onion, garlic, and chili powder until tender. Texas-style no-bean chili built for piling toppings on top.

Savory corn and ham pancakes fold leftover leg ham, corn kernels, red bell pepper, and green onions into a whole-wheat batter, then pan-fry to golden alongside blistered cherry tomatoes.

Mexican lasagna layers seasoned ground beef, refried beans, salsa, and a Monterey Jack-cheddar blend between lasagna noodles, finished with a sour cream and olive topping. Big-batch, freezer-friendly weeknight dinner.

Chinese sizzling sweet and sour seafood with shrimp, scallops, and vegetables in a tangy sauce poured over deep-fried rice cakes for a dramatic tableside sizzle.

A slow-simmered Southwestern beef chili with pinto beans, green chilis, jalapeños, and six tablespoons of chili powder. Topped with sharp cheddar and scallions. Tucson tough.

Homemade vegetarian burgers with pressed tofu, sauteed vegetables, taco seasoning, and nutritional yeast, dredged in wheat germ and pan-fried until crisp.

Garlicky black pepper shrimp and black-eyed peas is Low Country Southern cooking in one skillet: bacon, holy trinity, bay-scented peas, and wine-splashed shrimp finished with cracked pepper.

Microwave black bean burritos done in minutes, no stove required. Spiced black beans, partly pureed for a creamy texture, wrapped in tortillas with a fresh avocado-tomato salsa. An easy vegetarian dinner.