A delicious and refreshing pasta salad is perfect for spring or summer.
Coconut shrimp De Jonghe: a tropical riff on the classic Chicago baked shrimp casserole, with garlic, paprika, sherry, parsley, and toasted coconut layered over plump shrimp. Bakes in one dish for an old-school dinner-party main.
Buttery shortbread bites rolled in paprika, cayenne, curry powder, and cumin. A savory, spice-crusted appetizer that's totally unexpected and completely addictive.
Sharp cheddar cheese wafers with a kick of cayenne and optional pecan topping. A classic Southern cocktail snack that's slice-and-bake easy. Makes 60 crispy, buttery bites.
Lemon cayenne cookie press cookies with bright lemon zest and a spicy kick from cayenne pepper. Buttery, crisp, and sweet-heat in every bite.
Justin Wilson's Cajun crawfish boil simmers 50 pounds of live crawfish with crab boil seasoning, lemons, cayenne, sausage, corn, and potatoes. The gold standard Louisiana backyard feast.
Louisiana crawfish boil with liquid crab boil, cayenne, bay leaves, honey, and citrus: 50 pounds of live crawfish cooked for 7 minutes, then soaked an hour to absorb spicy-sweet brine.
Blackened Cajun prime rib: a 10-pound roast seasoned with pepper, garlic, and onion, roasted, chilled, then sliced into steaks and seared in a white-hot cast iron skillet until charred and crusty.
Creamy vegetarian sandwich spread made from fresh carrot juice and pulp blended with tahini. Savory, protein-rich filling with miso, garlic, and sesame in 5 minutes.
Hy's Georgia chain-gang chili: a three-meat marathon chili with burgundy-marinated beef, ground pork, and poached chicken, simmered three hours with three kinds of chiles, beer, and Sauterne.
Learn how to make a variety of delicious pasta sauces that can make any meal taste amazing!
Cajun file gumbo built on homemade chicken stock with a dark butter roux, andouille sausage, and the holy trinity. Thickened with file powder and served over rice.
Homemade vegan sausage (soysage) made from soybeans, kombu, oats, gluten flour, and classic sausage spices like sage, fennel, and cayenne. Steamed until firm and sliceable.
Low-fat vegetarian stew packed with sweet potatoes, okra, cabbage, and tomatoes, brightened with fresh ginger, lime juice, and cilantro. Topped with crunchy peanuts.
Pasta rosa: cheese tortellini tossed with shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, cayenne, and peppery arugula in olive oil. Finished with grated Romano. Italian-style 30-minute pasta dinner.
New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp baked in the shell in a buttery, garlicky sauce with lemon, Worcestershire, and cayenne. Grab some crusty French bread for dipping because that sauce is the whole point.
Japanese chuka soba noodle salad tossed with cold shrimp, crisp cucumbers, bean sprouts, and a tangy rice vinegar-soy dressing. A make-ahead summer dish that travels well to potlucks.
Beef and lamb chili simmers coarsely ground sirloin and lamb with jalapeños, cayenne, cumin, Mexican oregano, and a splash of sesame oil. Bold, fiery Tex-Mex chili recipe.
Orange, red pepper, radish, and red onion salad on romaine dressed with olive oil, lemon, cumin, and cayenne. A vibrant, crunchy Moroccan-inspired salad in 15 minutes.
Hearty red lentil soup with sweet corn, zucchini, sundried tomatoes, and pasta, finished with a miso-tamari swirl for deep umami. Vegan, filling, and ready in under an hour.
Chicken and spinach stuffed shells pulverize cooked chicken breast with Italian seasoning, fennel, and spinach into a savory paste, then bake inside jumbo pasta shells under your favorite sauce.
Homemade curry powder ground in a blender from coriander, cumin, fenugreek, turmeric, fennel, and a touch of saffron. A 14-spice blend with brighter, fresher flavor than store-bought tins.
Indian potato curry with baby potatoes, coconut cream, garam masala, and fresh chili, served with a spiced onion relish and cooling cucumber raita. A complete vegetarian feast.
Grilled pork tenderloin with a cumin-chili rub, served with Michigan dried cherry chutney and a cider bourbon sauce. A restaurant-caliber dish with three bold components.
Grilled West Indies spice-rubbed chicken breast with curry, paprika, cumin, and cayenne, served with molasses-glazed grilled bananas. A Caribbean-inspired grill plate with bold heat and tropical sweetness.
Monkfish chili with kidney beans, bell peppers, and a bold spice blend of cumin, cayenne, and Cajun seafood seasoning. A seafood twist on classic chili with real depth.
Freshly ground cardamom, cloves, and cumin give this yogurt-marinated chicken biryani its heady, aromatic punch. Served over saffron rice, it's a weeknight-friendly take on an Indian classic.
Crispy deep-fried smelt coated in a fiery blend of dry mustard, cayenne, and lemon zest. Double-fried for maximum crunch, these little fish make an addictive appetizer or light seafood dinner in just 30 minutes.
Ground turkey simmered with crushed tomatoes, red wine, capers, and fresh herbs piled over roasted spaghetti squash strands. A hearty low-fat, low-calorie dinner that doesn't skimp on flavor.
Cauliflower florets stir-fried and simmered in a blended ginger-onion paste with tomatoes, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and a finish of garam masala. A fragrant Indian vegetable side dish with real depth.
Italian potato salad tosses steamed red potatoes with green beans, Kalamata olives, Roma tomatoes, and fresh basil in a light cornstarch-thickened red wine vinaigrette.
This is a flexible recipe, if you want, you can always add any your favorite meat, such as chicken, turkey with these tasty veggies.
Texas-style beanless chili with cubed pork loin and beef brisket braised in beer, tequila, and triple cumin, thickened with masa harina. Six pounds of meat, no beans, all heat.
This bean soup sports a colorful mixture of vegetables and rich spices reminiscent of Mexican cuisine. It tastes even better after a night in the refrigerator. Serve topped with crushed tortilla chips and low- fat sour cream, if desired.
A simple authentic Indian chicken curry. Adjust the spices to suit your tastes. Serve it with steamed rice or spicy rice puloa (posted separately)
Old-fashioned homemade chili sauce simmered for hours from fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, brown sugar, and warm spices including cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. A classic American canned condiment recipe.
Oven-baked baby back ribs rubbed with brown sugar and celery seed, then glazed with a tangy homemade BBQ sauce. Fall-off-the-bone tender in about two hours, no grill or smoker required.
Spinach and potato koftas spiced with garam masala, turmeric, and amchoor, rolled in coconut and deep-fried until golden, then simmered in curry gravy. A classic Indian vegetarian dish.
Tender veal pieces browned with garlic, then braised with lemon zest, sage, and a touch of cayenne before finishing in a silky cream sauce. A refined one-hour dinner for four.
A fiery Caribbean-style spice rub blended with lime juice, chives, allspice, cayenne, and cinnamon. Marinate overnight and grill for chicken with serious island heat and flavor.
A hearty vegetable soup with black beans, okra, zucchini, and crushed tomatoes braised in red wine with cumin, ginger, and cayenne. Served over brown rice for a filling vegan meal.
Layered Mexican tortilla casserole with kidney beans, corn, cottage cheese, and cheddar made entirely in the microwave. A low-fat vegetarian enchilada-style bake ready in 30 minutes.
Broccoli with spicy chickpea sauce, steamed broccoli florets cloaked in a creamy hummus-style sauce of chickpeas, yogurt, blanched garlic, cumin, and cayenne. Vegetable side that doubles as a Middle Eastern main.
Pan-seared beef liver in a Creole mustard and white wine sauce with shallots and cayenne. A Cajun-style liver dish with a tangy, sharp pan sauce ready in 35 minutes.
Vegetarian stuffed grape leaves filled with rice, yellow split peas, mushrooms, and warming spices like turmeric and cayenne. Baked until tender, these make a hearty appetizer or meatless main.
Chopped black olives and canned clams stirred into sour cream with garlic powder and a kick of cayenne. Five minutes of effort, two hours in the fridge, and you've got a briny, creamy party dip.
White chicken chili with dried white beans, green chiles, cumin, and oregano, finished with shredded Monterey Jack, salsa, and sour cream. Serves twelve from one pot.
Tiny French cheese pastry sandwiches made with sharp cheddar dough and a melted Swiss cheese filling. Flaky, buttery, and gone in two bites. Makes 46 croutes.