Mandarin orange salad tosses crisp iceberg and romaine with sweet mandarin oranges, crunchy sugar-glazed almonds, and a tangy-sweet cider vinaigrette. A potluck classic with the best sweet-and-crunchy contrast.
Tropical pineapple-papaya salsa with blanched tomatoes, jalapeno, cilantro, and scallions. A fresh, fruity topping for grilled fish, chicken, or chips.
Shrimp with mango and basil sears turmeric-spiced shrimp and tosses them with ripe mango cubes, scallion greens, and fresh basil. Tropical-bright weeknight dinner.
Salmon steaks brushed with vermouth butter, orange zest, and lemon juice, topped with sliced potatoes and grilled in foil. Works on the barbecue or in the oven.
Orange beef with sun-dried tomatoes: a Chinese-Italian fusion stir-fry with brandy-marinated flank steak, candied orange zest, sun-dried tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and jalapeno. Restaurant-style technique at home.
Crisp broccoli and cauliflower florets tossed with bacon, sunflower seeds, and raisins in tangy-sweet mayo dressing. Make-ahead potluck favorite.
Ground beef and cheese pie with cheddar, Swiss, green onions, and a mayonnaise-egg custard baked in a flaky pie shell. A savory one-dish dinner.
Microwave stuffed zucchini filled with sauteed pulp, green onions, bread cubes, Parmesan, and fresh tomato. A quick vegetable side dish in under 20 minutes.
Linguine with clams in a peppery watercress and white wine sauce with garlic and green onions. A light, briny pasta dinner for two that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Chinese stir-fried oysters with garlic, ginger, green onions, and a light oyster sauce glaze. Blanched first, then wok-fried in under 2 minutes for tender, briny bites.
Brown rice summer salad with tarragon vinaigrette, fresh vegetables, peas, and pimentos. Low-fat, no-mayo, and served cold. A make-ahead side dish for hot weather meals.
Noodle seafood soup, a quick 20-minute one-pot meal using ramen noodle packets, shredded cabbage, carrots, imitation crab, and toasted sesame oil for an Asian-inspired bowl.
Garden herb muffins are savory low-fat muffins studded with grated carrot, green onion, garlic, and mustard. A bread basket savory bake for soups and salads.
A lighter salmon dip made with thick strained yogurt instead of mayo, canned salmon, scallions, celery, and toasted sesame seeds with a dash of hot sauce. High-protein, tangy, and great with crackers or crudites.
Fresh tuna burgers with basil, mint, lemon zest, and red chili, grilled and stacked on whole-wheat ciabatta with wasabi mayonnaise. A lighter burger with a Thai-Japanese lean.
Whole trout baked with a sourdough bread stuffing of scallions, green pepper, parsley, butter, and white wine. Rustic lakeside cooking that comes together in 40 minutes.
Quick vegetable stir fry with green beans, mushrooms, scallions, and slivered almonds seasoned with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Ready in 20 minutes.
Cold cucumber beet soup with a rosy pink color from pickled beets, blended with sour cream and chicken broth. No cooking required, just chill and serve.
Pan-seared sea scallops sauteed with mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and scallions in a butter and white wine sauce. A restaurant-quality seafood dinner with a rich, lemon-bright pan sauce.
Light shrimp spaghetti in a white wine and tomato sauce with garlic, basil, and oregano. Low-fat weeknight pasta with bright, clean flavors.
Broiled lime shrimp with cilantro, jalapeño, and a zippy lime-garlic dressing. Served cool over cucumber slices for a bright low-fat appetizer or light lunch.
Traditional quiche with sautéed mushrooms, scallions, Swiss cheese, and heavy cream baked in a pre-baked pastry shell. Elegant brunch centerpiece with bright lemon and warming nutmeg.
Warm potato and tuna salad with boiled new potatoes tossed in a light tarragon vinegar and olive oil dressing with spring onions and parsley. A bright, mayo-free take on classic tuna salad.
Greek-style lamb with peas braised in tomatoes with dill, parsley, and brown butter. Simmered until the liquid absorbs and only the rich butter sauce remains.
Asian-style stuffed mushrooms with crispy bacon, soy sauce, sesame seeds, and garlic in a savory bread crumb filling. Blanched caps keep their shape, and they're make-ahead friendly.
Fried rice with ham, snow peas, bean sprouts, and egg stir-fried in a wok with soy sauce. A quick, fresh take on homemade fried rice for two.
Savory basil red pepper muffins with olive oil, scallions, and egg whites. A low-fat, no-butter muffin that works as a side for soups, stews, or on its own for brunch.
Fresh lime-pineapple relish with chopped pineapple, red bell pepper, green onions, lime zest, and ginger. A bright no-cook tropical condiment for grilled fish, chicken, or pork.
Fish fillets pan-cooked in garlic butter with scallions and a squeeze of lemon. Five ingredients, six minutes of cooking, and dinner is on the table.
Caribbean-style baked crab in shells with curry powder, scallions, chili peppers, coriander, and breadcrumbs. A spicy, fragrant seafood appetizer for eight.
Creamy Dijon mustard dip with sour cream, mayo, and green onions. A tangy, sharp party dip for fresh vegetables that comes together in 10 minutes.
Crab and mushroom stuffing for flounder with scallions, bread crumbs, lemon juice, and butter. Baked at high heat and served with Mornay sauce.
Red pepper garlic sauce made from fresh-juiced bell peppers and garlic, thickened with arrowroot and finished with red wine. A vibrant, naturally sweet sauce for grilled meats and fish.
Hint of ginger marinade combines soy sauce, dry sherry, fresh ginger, garlic, and lemon zest for poultry, pork, and fish. A fast Asian-leaning marinade ready in 5 minutes, no cooking required.
Melon salsa with ripe cantaloupe, fresh ginger, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime. A sweet-spicy no-cook fruit salsa for grilled fish, chicken, or chips.
Cashew noodles bake egg noodles with cottage cheese, sour cream, mushrooms, garlic, and toasted cashews under a Parmesan crust. A creamy, crunchy weeknight casserole with mid-century roots.
Oysters Rockefeller on the half shell, topped with a herbed green butter of scallion, celery and tarragon plus crisp breadcrumbs, then broiled until golden and bubbling. An elegant New Orleans classic.
Vegan stuffed mushrooms filled with a fresh tomato, garlic, scallion, and chive salsa dressed with olive oil and lemon juice. Light, bright, and no cheese needed.
Asian sweet and sour bell peppers stir-fried with garlic, ginger, scallions, and a lemon-tamari-honey sauce. A quick low-calorie vegetable side for rice or noodle bowls.
Blender vegetable soup with chicken broth, sour cream, and lemon juice. Serve it chilled on hot days or warm for a quick, creamy pureed soup any time.
Peppery brown rice simmered in chicken broth with cayenne, white pepper, scallions, and red bell pepper. A spicy, savory side dish cooked in one pot.
Harvest rice with sauteed carrots, apples, raisins, and sesame seeds tossed with brown rice and scallions. A sweet and savory vegetarian side dish ready in 10 minutes.
Mayo and yogurt dill dip leaning mostly on tangy plain yogurt, brightened with fresh dill, scallions, and garlic. A lighter, herby dip that comes together in five minutes for raw veggies.
Classic egg salad with chopped hard-boiled eggs, scallions, prepared mustard, and mayonnaise. A four-ingredient sandwich filling that comes together in under ten minutes.
This Star Trek-inspired stacked sandwich layers tender chicken, corned beef, and Swiss cheese on rye bread, topped with crunchy homemade coleslaw. A nerdy, hearty bite worthy of any Tribble.
Slow-roasted beef tenderloin sliced thin, served with buttery wine-simmered mushrooms and chilled black-eyed pea salsa for an elegant Texas feast.
Fiery Thai chili fish sauce (nam pla prik) with serrano chiles, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, and roasted chili paste. A no-cook condiment that livens up everything it touches.