Smoky black bean soup made from dried beans simmered with ham hocks, cumin, jalapeno, and vegetables, pureed smooth and finished with dry sherry and fresh lime juice.
Authentic New Mexican chili with cubed round steak (no ground beef), pure New Mexico chile powder, garlic, and water. No tomato, no beans, no filler.
Traditional Mexican tortilla soup with fried tortilla strips simmered in a garlicky tomato broth with chili powder, topped with grated cheese. Simple, warming, and ready in 45 minutes.
Tandoori-style chicken marinated in yogurt, garam masala, ginger, garlic, and lemon, then grilled or oven-roasted until smoky and tender. Authentic Indian technique without a tandoor oven.
Homemade vegetable stock in the pressure cooker in just 10 minutes at high pressure. Sauteed onions, carrots, celery, parsnips, and herbs for a rich, flavorful base.
Warm poached beef filet with sesame mayonnaise, a star-anise and soy-reduced glaze whisked into mayo with Dijon mustard. A restaurant-style dinner party plate with watercress, chives, and coarse salt.
Beer-boiled shrimp chilled in a seasoned broth with bay leaf, peppercorns, and garlic. Serve cold with bowls of beer for dunking on a hot summer day.
Texiana shrimp and rice, Tex-Mex one-pot with green chiles, toasted cumin, oregano, and shrimp simmered into pilaf-style rice. Border-state weeknight seafood main with cilantro and scallions on top.
Asian peanut sauce with peanut butter, soy sauce, chili oil, garlic, and brewed tea for a smooth base. A spicy, savory dipping sauce for noodles, spring rolls, and satay.
Carrot and onion puff: a lightened soufflé with shredded carrots, cheddar, and oat bran. Egg whites only, no yolks, for a tall, golden, low-calorie vegetable side.
Peanuts and slivers: Asian-style fried peanuts tossed with crisp golden garlic slivers and salt. An addictive bar snack that disappears by the handful.
Sesame shrimp toasts are crispy Chinese appetizers with minced shrimp, ginger, and five-spice pressed onto bread, coated in sesame seeds, and pan-fried until golden.
Spinach salad with a creamy blended lemon dressing made from sour cream, lemon juice, garlic, and paprika. A tangy, no-cook side salad ready in 10 minutes.
Spinach garlic soup is a creamy blended soup with fresh spinach, shredded carrots, eight cloves of garlic, and a nutmeg-scented finish. Silky, vivid green, on the table in 40 minutes.
Easy chicken cacciatore with canned tomatoes, garlic, basil, and parsley simmered uncovered for 40 minutes. A rustic Italian one-pan dinner with minimal prep.
Gingered vegetable soup with fresh ginger root, potatoes, zucchini, corn, and tomato sauce. Oil-free, vegan, and full of warming flavor from a water-sauteed base.