Chinese-style roast pork and mushrooms stir-fried with ginger, scallions, soy sauce, and sherry in a glossy cornstarch sauce. Ready in 30 minutes.
Kwitiaow Pad Thai with rice noodles, prawns, bean curd, egg, and peanuts in a tamarind-palm sugar sauce. An authentic Thai street food classic with traditional condiments on the side.
Slightly Italian crockpot chicken: slow-cooked chicken breasts with artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and Italian dressing sauce thickened with tapioca. Set-and-forget weeknight dinner for four.
Ribollita is a Tuscan bread soup layered with vegetables, chicken, kidney beans, spinach, stale bread, and Parmesan, then baked until thick and crusty. A hearty Italian peasant soup that improves overnight.
Broiled salmon teriyaki with a homemade ginger soy glaze made from scratch. Fresh ginger root, rice wine, and reduced-sodium soy sauce for a lighter take.
Chinese-style pork spareribs braised in fermented black bean sauce with garlic and rice wine. Wok-seared then simmered until fall-off-the-bone tender in just 90 minutes.
Cantonese-style barbecued pork loin marinated overnight in soy, hoisin, honey, and sherry, then roasted hot and sliced thin for a glossy, sweet-savory platter with hot mustard alongside.
Grilled leg of lamb with currant-bell pepper chutney: red wine and curry-marinated lamb grilled over mesquite, served with a sweet-savory port and currant chutney.
Snails Cauderan is a traditional Bordeaux escargot recipe braised with country ham, shallots, white wine, and bouquet garni. Petit-gris snails cooked low and slow in a rich, savory sauce.
Chicken enchiladas with two from-scratch sauces: a tangy green tomatillo-spinach sauce with sour cream or a smoky red ancho chile sauce. Topped with melted Monterey Jack.
Roasted chicken tenders saltimbocca: sage leaves and prosciutto wrapped around chicken tenders, roasted crisp, served over wild mushroom spaghetti risotto with arugula and toasted hazelnuts.
Cornish hens Provencal style braised with tomatoes, saffron, olives, leeks, white wine, and fresh herbs. A one-skillet French country dinner with golden-skinned game hens in 50 minutes.
Chicken and mushroom soup with thinly sliced chicken breast poached in broth, finished with sesame oil and sherry. A quick Asian-inspired clear soup for two, ready in 15 minutes.
Slow cooker chicken casserole with mushrooms, artichoke hearts, dry sherry, and tarragon. A set-it-and-forget-it crockpot dinner that cooks 8 hours on low and finishes with a quick thickened pan sauce.
Chuck's New England clam chowder layers tender chopped clams, potatoes, and celery into a silky roux-thickened half-and-half broth finished with a splash of sherry. Classic Yankee comfort in a bowl.
Chinese cashew chicken stir-fry with snow peas, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and toasted cashews in a soy-cornstarch sauce. A classic takeout favorite made from scratch at home.
Harvest vegetable curry: steamed carrots, winter squash, broccoli, red pepper, summer squash, and chickpeas tossed in a quick curry-ginger-lemon sauce. Healthy, fast, and ready in 30 minutes.
Rabbit braised in white wine with onion, carrot, celery, thyme, and marjoram, finished with sour cream. Cooked entirely in the microwave and served over buttered noodles.
Slow cooker chicken and dumplings in a creamy white wine and sour cream sauce with leeks, carrots, and herbs. Bisquick dumplings steam on top during the last 30 minutes.
Curry-glazed duck legs roast under a paste of jalapeno, ginger, garlic, and curry powder, then braise in orange-lime juice with chicken stock. The skin re-crisps for shatteringly crackly results.
Sweet and sour pork the proper way: marinated pork cubes battered and deep-fried crisp, then tossed in a homemade sweet-sour sauce with peppers, carrots and lychees. Crunchy, glossy and far better than takeout.
Green chili with three meats, roasted poblano peppers, fresh cilantro, and beer. Slow-simmered for two hours and finished with beurre manie for serious richness and body.
Sauteed turkey with tequila cream sauce sears turkey cutlet strips, then builds a reduced gold tequila and creme fraiche sauce with shiitakes and shallots over spaetzle. Mexican-German fusion main.
Shrimp and wild rice with a curry-vinegar dressing and fresh green onions. A light, protein-packed warm salad or dinner with nutty wild rice and tender shrimp.
Cream of leek soup builds a butter-flour roux with chicken stock and half and half, then folds in tender steamed leeks. Optional ham and potato additions turn it into a hearty meal.
Spinach fettuccine with bay scallops, broccoli, red pepper, and mushrooms in a light white wine sauce. Quick seafood pasta with sweet scallops, ready in 45 minutes.
Szechuan noodle salad with fettuccine in a spicy peanut sauce made with ginger, garlic, chili paste, and sesame oil, surrounded by julienned vegetables and ham.
Roast pork loin with Marsala-steeped dried figs, butter-glossed pearl onions and honey mustard on the side. A rustic, wine-braised dinner-party centerpiece.
Fruited turkey roll stuffed with sauteed mushrooms, tarragon, onions, and cheddar, glazed with apricot-mustard, and served with a ginger-apricot fruit sauce. An impressive weeknight dinner.
Pork chops with green grapes and mushrooms in a tarragon-lemon pan sauce made from chicken broth. A French-inspired skillet dinner with a sweet-savory fruit sauce.
Grilled turkey rolls stuffed with walnuts, spinach, and thyme, then served with a cool chive-lemon yogurt sauce. A lean grill-night main that holds up hot or cold.
Light pasta in chicken broth with wilted spinach chiffonade, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan. A brothy, clean-flavored Italian dish ready in under 15 minutes.
This steak is very tasty, the beef should be very fresh, then can get very nice steak!
Smoked acorn squash and wild rice bisque blends fire-kissed squash, sage, thyme, and chili flakes into a velvety bowl, finished with chewy wild rice and a squeeze of lemon for brightness.
Chinese steamed spareribs with fermented black beans, ginger, garlic, and rice wine. Pork ribs cut into bite-sized pieces and steamed until fall-apart tender in about an hour.
Curried pork with sweet potatoes deep-fries sweet potato slices first, then simmers them in a curry-spiced pork stew with ginger, sesame oil, and soy sauce. Asian-inflected curry comfort dish.
Build-your-own chicken tacos with a slow-caramelized garlic and onion base, serrano chiles, dual paprikas, and toasted cumin. Simmered chicken filling served with radishes, pinto beans, sour cream, and cilantro for a generous taco-night spread.
Chicken breasts poached in herbed broth with leeks, carrots, red pepper, and elbow macaroni, finished with fresh thyme and Parmesan. A nourishing, light soup.
Hearty kabocha squash chowder with smoky bacon, sweet bell pepper, and fresh thyme. Chunks of golden squash thicken the broth as they soften. Topped with smoked almonds for crunch.
Mongolian beef with crispy deep-fried sirloin tossed in a spicy dark soy and chili garlic sauce with ginger and green onions. Authentic wok technique with water chestnut flour coating.
Microwave lamb stir-fry with toasted pine nuts, bok choy, and mushrooms in a ginger oyster sauce. Tender lamb strips cooked on a browning dish, ready in 30 minutes.
Molded turkey pineapple salad sets chopped turkey, crushed pineapple, grapes, and celery in a savory gelatin made with chicken broth and pineapple juice. A retro luncheon classic.
Shortcut tamale casserole with masa harina dough layered over chili and baked until golden. All the corn-and-chili flavor of real tamales without rolling a single corn husk.
Lentil and yogurt soup with orange lentils, bacon, mushrooms, and ground coriander, finished with a swirl of low-fat yogurt. Hearty, warming, and lighter than it tastes.
Red bell pepper bisque thickened with overcooked rice instead of flour, pureed silky smooth with cream, milk, and a touch of cayenne. A make-ahead soup with vibrant color.
Blanquette of veal is a classic French white stew with tender veal, cauliflower, and a silky sour cream and lemon sauce. Bistro comfort served over rice or noodles.
Vegetable bulgur pilaf with mushrooms, zucchini, carrots, and red pepper simmered in broth with tarragon. A light, nutty whole grain side dish ready in 30 minutes.