655 water recipes

The thickness of the soup is somewhat unpredictable, so stand by with a bit of water or stock to thin it down if necessary.

Dahi vada made with urad and moong dal, deep-fried into golden fritters, soaked in water, then served in spiced yogurt. A classic Indian appetizer with creamy, tangy contrast.

Big-batch buttermilk bran muffins made with two kinds of bran cereal and boiling water for an incredibly moist crumb. Makes 24 hearty muffins with endless mix-in possibilities.

Nightcap coffee mix with instant coffee, cardamom, cinnamon, non-dairy creamer, and sugar. A spiced coffee blend you stir into hot water for a cozy evening cup.

Three-ingredient honey pancake syrup: honey thinned with warm water and a splash of vanilla. Pours like maple syrup without honey's cloying intensity, ready in 10 minutes for the breakfast table.

Fig raisin cake with brown sugar, cinnamon, and boiling water-soaked dried fruit baked into a dense, spiced loaf. An old-fashioned fruit cake with deep caramel flavor.

Chewy homemade bagels from scratch with just 5 ingredients: whole wheat flour, yeast, honey, salt, and water. Boiled then baked with your favorite toppings. From counter to table in about an hour.

Vegan garlic soup with pearl barley, wild rice, potatoes, carrots, and celery. Built on a base of 25 mashed garlic cloves simmered in water. Hearty, restorative, and gluten-free with tamari.

Elegant broccoli terrine with basil, Parmesan, and lemon baked in a water bath until silky smooth. Served chilled and sliced, this low-calorie vegetable showstopper is a stunning appetizer or light lunch.

Grandma's chicken noodle soup with bone-in thighs, turnips, carrots, celery, and egg noodles. Simmered from scratch in water with thyme and poultry seasoning. Honest, old-fashioned comfort.

Traditional Southern Hoppin' John with dried black-eyed peas, rice, ham, and cayenne. A one-pot New Year's Day staple believed to bring good luck.

Rye bread sourdough starter with an onion twist, ready in 48 hours. Rye flour, yeast, water, and a halved onion develop a pleasingly sour, beery aroma for bread baking.

Pickled nasturtium seeds brined in salt water, layered with tarragon and horseradish, then preserved in spiced white wine vinegar. A peppery homemade caper substitute.

Ghoul-Ade is a jet-black Halloween punch made by mixing orange and grape drink mix with ginger ale and sugar water. Five minutes, five ingredients, seriously spooky.

Real Irish stew: traditional Irish country stew of mutton, potatoes, carrots, and onions simmered slowly in water until the meat falls apart. Six ingredients, no shortcuts, pure comfort.

Pear butter made with 12 fresh pears simmered in sweet wine, water, and honey until thick and spreadable. A 4-ingredient fruit butter with no added sugar.