Garlic-butter chicken breasts baked in a curried orange sauce with raisins, almonds, mandarin oranges, and sliced banana. A sweet-savory, Indian-inspired bake that's stunning over rice.
Sauteed fresh morel mushrooms with Granny Smith apples, asparagus tips, and butter noodles flambed with Calvados. A spring-foraged dish with chipotle heat and watercress garnish.
A basic dry rub made from chili powder and cayenne pepper that's perfect for steaks!
Pepperoni and Vidalia onion quiche with slow-cooked sweet onions, Swiss cheese, and a yogurt-enriched custard in a prebaked pie shell. A savory, pizza-meets-quiche brunch dish.
Crispy browned chicken simmered with garlic, rosemary, and white wine, then finished in a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Serve over spaghetti for a true Italian feast.
Fried eggplant rounds with Parmesan crust topped with a creamy crab and shrimp sauce flavored with liquid crab boil, cream cheese, and Tabasco. A Cajun-style showstopper.
Green bean and mushroom casserole made from scratch with a homemade cream sauce enriched with egg yolk and fresh mushrooms, no canned soup. Topped with buttered bread crumbs and baked golden for the holidays.
Ham and potato quiche with Swiss cheese in a from-scratch shortening crust. Cubed ham, boiled potato strips, and a simple egg custard bake into a hearty, satisfying main dish.
Tender lamb stew meat braised in a fragrant blend of coriander, cumin, cardamom, turmeric, and ginger, then finished with a swirl of yogurt and fresh lemon juice. Serve over rice for a deeply aromatic Indian curry.
Crisp garlic croutons, silky prosciutto strips and a nutty walnut oil vinaigrette tossed with tender greens. A 25-minute elegant Italian salad for two that feels straight from a Tuscan trattoria.
Lean chicken tetrazzini using melted cottage cheese instead of cream sauce, with spaghetti, mushrooms, dry sherry, and a Parmesan breadcrumb topping. Lower fat, full flavor.
Pasta with vodka sauce: a buttery cream sauce reduced with vodka, mushrooms, and fresh tomatoes. A restaurant-style Italian classic that uses the alcohol to unlock tomato flavor.
Butternut squash pasta sauce with melted Monterey Jack, vegetable broth, and sun-dried tomatoes tossed with ziti. A creamy, lighter fall pasta without heavy cream.
Chunky beef chuck and Spanish chorizo simmered for 3 hours in a bold, beer-laced chili with plum tomatoes, cumin, and Mexican oregano. No beans in the pot. This is Texas chili done right.
Cored apples packed with a savory-sweet filling of ground veal, Parmesan, walnuts, raisins, and sage, then baked until soft and drizzled with a honey-apple brandy butter. An Italian-inspired showstopper that blurs the line between entree and autumn celebration.
Fresh fig salad with mixed greens, goat cheese, walnuts, and a champagne vinegar shallot vinaigrette. An elegant no-cook salad that showcases ripe figs at their peak.
Silky oyster bisque thickened with a butter-flour roux and enriched with cream, simmered just until the oyster edges curl without overcooking.
Buttery crab filling with scallions and dry vermouth, ready to stuff into crepes, pastry shells, mushroom caps, or anything that needs a luxurious seafood center.
Slow cooker pineapple chicken with Dijon mustard, soy sauce, garlic, and unsweetened pineapple. A low-fat crockpot chicken breast dinner with minimal prep.
A delicious and refreshing pasta salad is perfect for spring or summer.
Dublin coddle is Ireland's beloved one-pot supper of sausages, bacon, potatoes, and onions simmered low and slow until everything melts together. Serve with soda bread and a bottle of stout for the full Dublin experience.
Steamed potato salad tossed with green peas, celery, and scallions in a lighter dressing of mayonnaise, yogurt, Dijon mustard, and loads of fresh dill. A bright, tangy side for cookouts and potlucks.
Tender beef simmers with warm cinnamon, cloves, and cumin, balanced by sweet raisins and red wine for an exotic slow cooker stew served over fluffy rice.
Chicken in white wine: floured breasts pan-seared, then simmered in a bright white wine sauce with garlic, bay, and lemon zest, finished with scallions and butter. An elegant, fast 30-minute skillet dinner.
Pheasant Amerind with poached then roasted pheasant halves in a mushroom pan gravy with thyme, rosemary, and chopped black walnuts.
Market salad with Parmesan brittle: arugula, radicchio, and romaine tossed in Dijon-garlic vinaigrette, topped with buttery Parmesan-paprika shortbread strips. Bitter greens meet rich, savory crunch.
Lean ostrich steak sliced thin and stir-fried with fresh tomatoes, bell pepper, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes. A low-fat, high-protein alternative to beef that cooks in minutes.
I sauteed the shrimp with the spices and it turned out wonderful.Really a big hit!
Super cheesy fondue: smooth Gouda fondue thickened with a quick roux, spiked with garlic, white wine, nutmeg, and optional kirsch. Party-ready dipping sauce in under 20 minutes.
Southern-style wild rice pilau with browned chicken livers, brown rice, and fresh herbs simmered in low-sodium broth. A rustic, iron-rich side dish that's lighter than you'd expect.
Whole hard-shell crabs simmered in a garlicky tomato sauce with red pepper flakes, cracked and tossed over spaghetti. Messy, hands-on, and worth every napkin.
Emerald vichyssoise, a chilled spinach and potato soup with cream, chicken broth, scallions, and lemon juice. A vibrant green twist on classic vichyssoise.
Nothing says comfort food like grandma's cookin'. I have simplified the process with canned beans but feel free to use a comparable amount of fresh. I also replaced the lard in Grandma's recipe with (marginally more healthy) butter.
Hot dogs Provencale simmered in a rustic tomato sauce with crispy bacon, onion, and garlic. A French-inspired one-skillet dinner that turns humble franks into something special.
Quick summer vegetable stir fry with zucchini, yellow squash, red pepper, and fresh tomatoes tossed in herbs and Parmesan. Ready in 25 minutes, this garden-fresh side dish bursts with seasonal flavor.
Tuna melt meets savory pie in this Bisquick-based bake loaded with cheddar, caramelized onions, and fresh tomato slices. Feeds a crowd in one hour with minimal effort.
Chilled shrimp salad tossed with fresh dill, cucumber, celery, and a tangy dressing of mayo, sour cream, Dijon, and anchovy paste. Serve it on lettuce or stuffed into hollowed tomatoes for a gorgeous lunch.
Crispy deep-fried tofu triangles stuffed with curried tofu, mushrooms, and ginger in wonton wrappers. A fusion appetizer that's part samosa, part wonton, and totally addictive. Makes 30.
Happy family stew braises beef chuck with plum tomatoes, green chilies, cumin, oregano, and Worcestershire for hours into a rich Tex-Mex-leaning beef stew. Served over rice for a one-pot crowd dinner.
Classic cucumber sandwiches on whole wheat with buttery layers, white wine vinegar snap, green onion, and fresh dill. Elegant finger food for tea time, ready in an hour.
Simple lentil soup pureed with a full bunch of fresh cilantro and topped with yogurt. Six ingredients, one pot, and 50 minutes for a high-fiber, protein-rich bowl.
Cilantro Waffle Chips with Chunky Guacamole recipe
Velvety puréed spinach soup loaded with fresh basil, dill, and russet potatoes for body. Naturally low-fat and dairy-free, this herb-forward bowl serves a crowd in under an hour.
Meatball stroganoff with browned mushrooms in a creamy tomato sauce made with evaporated milk, Worcestershire, and lemon juice. Serve over rice or egg noodles.
Golden sautéed parsnips with apples, pearl onions, fennel seeds, and sage, finished in a glossy honey-mustard cider glaze. A stunning vegetarian side for autumn and winter tables.
Seasoned beef patties simmer in tangy taco sauce then get topped with creamy avocado rings and melted cheddar cheese for a quick Mexican-inspired dinner that's juicier than burgers and easier than tacos.
Sweet red bell peppers stuffed with fresh corn, tomatoes, celery, onion, and bread crumbs, topped with melted Swiss cheese. A meatless stuffed pepper that celebrates summer produce.