Wayman chili with chunked sirloin steak, green peppers, onions, garlic, and parsley in a tomato and Tabasco base spiked with cumin and chili powder. Beanless Texas-style chili with real bite.
Fusilli with vegetables: a fresh Italian pasta sauce of zucchini, plum tomatoes, garlic, shallots, and herbs simmered in olive oil. Summer garden produce tossed with corkscrew pasta and a shower of parmesan.
Pepper corn pasta: semolina and cornmeal fresh pasta with black pepper, red pepper flakes, oregano, and garlic worked into the dough. A golden, spicy homemade noodle for bold sauces.
Pizzeria-style deep-dish pizza: a cornmeal-crisp homemade crust pressed up the sides of a deep pan, layered Chicago-style with mozzarella under crushed plum tomatoes, herbs, sausage, and Parmesan.
Greek cold yogurt soup (soupa tsatziki) with grated cucumber, garlic, fresh dill, mint, and olive oil. A chilled, no-cook summer soup served as part of a mezze spread.
Mexican-style beef stew with zucchini, corn, green chiles, and melted cheddar stirred in at the end. A quick Southwestern skillet stew with cumin, oregano, and fresh cilantro.
Vegetarian eggplant tomato pasta sauce with dry sherry, red bell pepper, nutmeg, and fresh basil. A chunky, low-calorie sauce that simmers in under 30 minutes.
Sugar-free marinated cucumber salad with vinegar, garlic, and black pepper. Salt-brined thin slices release their water, then soak up a tangy dressing for a crisp, diabetic-friendly side dish.
Smooth shrimp butter spread made with fresh shrimp, cream cheese, butter, and hard-boiled egg blended silky in a food processor. A rich, molded appetizer for crackers.
Mushrooms à la Grecque: mushrooms simmered in tomato, coriander seeds, bay, and garlic. A classic French-style braise served chilled as part of a meze or hot as a vegetarian side.
Southwest guacamole with ripe avocados, garlic, chopped tomatoes, and fresh lime juice. Five ingredients, no cooking, and chunky enough to scoop with chips.
Red bell pepper soup with fresh tomatoes, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, ginger, and cumin. Slow-simmered with red onion and garlic for deep, layered flavor.
Misr allecha, an Ethiopian red lentil stew simmered with turmeric, garlic, and hot pepper into a thick, vibrant puree. A vegan, gluten-free side built for scooping with injera.
Sun-dried tomato spaghetti sauce with canned tomatoes, white wine, fennel seeds, and a vegetable soffritto sauteed in the sun-dried tomato oil. An intensely tomatoey, meatless pasta sauce.
A simple but scrumptious side dish made with cooked potatoes, garlic and a bit of cayenne pepper.
Moroccan-style roast chicken with ginger, saffron, cilantro, and parsley, finished with a green olive and lemon zest pan sauce. Braised then roasted golden.