Spaghetti with lentils in a slow-simmered tomato sauce with red wine, basil, oregano, and thyme. A hearty vegetarian pasta dinner with protein-rich lentils instead of meat.
Spinach, chickpea, and golden raisin pasta brings Sicilian sweet-savory flavor to weeknight dinner. Garlicky olive oil, red pepper flakes, and a splash of broth pull it all together over penne.
Grilled butterflied leg of lamb rubbed with crushed rosemary and marinated in red Burgundy wine, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. No mint, just herbs and smoke over mesquite charcoal.
Indian lamb saag with fresh spinach, yogurt, whole spices, and garam masala. Lamb cubes braised in a thick green spinach sauce with cardamom and cloves.
Deep-fried tofu stuffed with seasoned ground pork, then simmered in chicken broth with mushrooms and green peas. A classic Chinese clay pot dish with crispy, meaty filling.
Carne con papas: cubed round steak simmered with potatoes in tomato sauce, cumin, and garlic. A simple Mexican-style meat and potatoes dish ready in one hour, one pot.
Quick seafood stir-fry with scallops, sweet red peppers, and wilted watercress finished with lemon juice and red pepper flakes. Light, colorful, and ready in 30 minutes.
This makes a dip that is delicious on raw vegetables or spread on French bread, and is good as an appetizer, snack or light lunch.
Greek souvlaki with lamb or pork marinated overnight in olive oil, lemon, white wine, garlic, and oregano then grilled on skewers. Includes a smart make-ahead method for parties.
Grilled lamb kabobs marinated overnight in soy sauce, garlic, and white wine vinegar, skewered with bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and small onions.
Cheese log blends sharp New York cheddar, pimento cheese, and cream cheese with garlic, Worcestershire, and red pepper, rolled in paprika. Old-school holiday appetizer for crackers.
Classic Italian crostini made by rubbing sliced bread with raw garlic, brushing with olive oil, sprinkling with rosemary, and baking until crisp. Four ingredients, 30 minutes.
Garides Kokkiyia me Feta: Greek shrimp baked in scallop shells with tomato sauce, fresh basil, garlic, and melty feta cheese. A classic Aegean seafood appetizer.
Traditional Middle Eastern shawrbat adas, a hearty lentil and vermicelli soup with cumin, garlic, and fresh cilantro. Warming, deeply spiced, and a staple of Levantine kitchens.
Homemade sweet pepper and onion pizza on a whole wheat crust with fat-free mozzarella, mushrooms, and garlic. A lighter veggie pizza made from scratch with a crispy cornmeal-dusted base.
Greek souvlaki with lamb or veal marinated overnight in white wine, olive oil, oregano, and garlic. Broiled on skewers for charred, tender meat cubes.