Recipes with basil

Italian spaghetti sauce with three meats: beef, pork, and chicken simmered in tomato paste and Italian tomatoes with meatballs. A slow-cooked Sunday gravy that freezes well.

Summer soup with potato, leek, watercress, and fresh basil in vegetable stock. A light, peppery vegetarian soup that celebrates green flavors without cream or heavy thickeners.

Cheesy rice and bean casserole with ricotta, feta, and Parmesan baked under sliced tomatoes and a golden breadcrumb crust. Hearty vegetarian comfort food with mushrooms and herbs.

Fava bean and tiny pasta salad with blanched carrots, chives, and a red wine vinegar-basil dressing. A light, marinated vegan side served at room temperature.

Tomato and basil puff pastry tarts with vine-ripened slices over a thick tomato coulis. Shatteringly crisp pastry, no soggy bottoms, six individual rounds.

Chilled summer spaghetti tossed with raw gazpacho sauce of tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, sherry, and saffron. Spanish-inspired no-cook hot weather pasta.

The health benefits of green papaya exceed those of the ripe variety. Raw green papaya is packed with vitamins, enzymes and phytonutrients. It contains vital nutrients including potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, E and B. However, perhaps the most important health property of green papaya is its ability to improve digestion and the uptake of nutrients, raising enzyme levels and improving assimilation, and thus also strengthening the immune system. Green papaya contains two of the most powerful plant proteolytic enzymes: papain and chymopapain. These enzymes excel at breaking down proteins, fats and carbohydrates, as well as aiding healthy digestion. Papain can only be found in the papaya fruit and is more effective than pepsin produced by our own stomachs.

Spinach ricotta gnocchi (gnudi): pillowy Italian dumplings made without potatoes. Just ricotta, spinach, parmesan, and a touch of breadcrumb. Poached gently and dressed with butter or tomato sauce.

Vegan holiday loaf with brown rice, wild rice, walnuts, and Thanksgiving herbs baked until firm. A plant-based main for Thanksgiving served with mushroom gravy.

Italian-style zucchini with butter, olive oil, basil, oregano, and parsley. A quick microwave side dish that keeps the zucchini crisp-tender in 20 minutes.

Drunken pioneers pasta: wagon wheels topped with sauteed peppers and onions in a quick red wine and beef-stock sauce with basil and rosemary. Pantry weeknight pasta in 25 minutes.

Tomato-cheese pie with a buttery breadcrumb crust, fresh sliced tomatoes, basil, green onions, and a Swiss cheese custard. A savory summer pie that works for brunch, lunch, or a light supper.

Homemade pizza sauce with tomato puree, tomato paste, oregano, basil and rosemary. No-cook style 10-minute sauce that beats jarred every time.

Winter pesto made with fresh parsley and dried basil when fresh basil is out of season. Pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and olive oil blended smooth for pasta, soups, or bread.

Pesto pizza appetizer with homemade basil pesto, pine nuts, and Parmesan on pre-made pizza shells. Bakes in just 5 minutes for a quick, fragrant party snack.

Roasted vegetable soup with garlic blends caramelized eggplant, onions, peppers, tomatoes and roasted garlic into a velvety pureed base, finished with diced vegetables for texture. Vegetarian and full of smoky depth.