A classic taco salad piling browned ground beef, sharp cheddar, tomato, and crisp lettuce, tossed with Catalina dressing and taco chips. A potluck favorite that comes together in about 15 minutes.
Greek-style baked eel with a tomato, red wine, onion, and oregano sauce inspired by Salonika. A traditional Mediterranean seafood dish served with crusty bread.
Grilled beef chuck roast marinated 24 hours in bourbon, soy sauce, and brown sugar. This bold, savory-sweet marinade tenderizes the meat and builds a rich caramelized crust on the grill.
Bulgur pilaf studded with dried apricots and raisins, simmered in chicken broth and finished with fresh parsley. A nutty, high-fiber whole grain side dish ready in 30 minutes.
Pasta e fagioli the proper Italian way: dried red kidney beans slow-baked with sage and garlic, then simmered with pancetta and a sofrito of carrot, celery, and onion. Half the beans get pureed for that signature silky, stew-thick body.
Southern-style fried rabbit with onions and pan gravy. Flour-dredged rabbit pieces browned in oil, then simmered in a simple flour gravy until tender and saucy.
Italian lentil minestrone soup with overnight-soaked lentils, cabbage, mushrooms, celery, and tomato paste, simmered with Italian herbs and finished with Parmesan.
Italian shrimp and fennel salad sears sweet shrimp with charred fennel, red bell pepper, capers, and lemon. A bright Mediterranean salad served warm or chilled.
Roasted cod with plum tomatoes, orange zest, and caramelized onions. A one-dish Mediterranean fish dinner with bright citrus, fresh thyme, and sweet roasted vegetables layered over flaky white fish.
Spicy cottage cheese veggie dip blends raisins, curry powder, chili and onion into a creamy chilled crudite dip. High-protein, low-fat and ready in 20 minutes. Curry-meets-sweet flavor that hooks dippers.
This is a basic risotto rice . Many ingredients may be added, such as green onion, peas, sliced mushrooms, clams, shrimp, lean hamburger or chicken.
Shrimp couscous paella: a microwave twist on Spanish paella with chicken, shrimp, saffron, peas, and red pepper, finished with quick-cooking couscous. Weeknight dinner in 30 minutes.
Oven-roasted pearl barley with mushrooms, thyme, rosemary, sage, and marjoram baked in chicken broth until tender and nutty. A hearty whole grain side dish.
Easy seafood stew with clams, crab, and baby shrimp in a tomato broth with basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. A pantry-friendly one-pot stew ready in 40 minutes.
Rice Pilaf with Apricots, Raisins and Pine Nuts recipe
Thick and warming turkey soup with a buttery roux base, carrots, peas, and herbs like thyme and savory. The best way to turn leftover turkey into a from-scratch comfort bowl.
Tender, herb-scented cottage dill bread made effortlessly in your bread machine with tangy cottage cheese, aromatic dill seed, and savory dried onion.
Lentil soup simmered with tomatoes, carrots, marjoram, and thyme, finished with dry white wine and topped with grated cheddar. A hearty, high-fiber one-pot meal.
Artichoke squares baked with chopped artichoke hearts, shredded cheddar, eggs, and oregano. Onion and garlic sauté in the artichoke marinade for extra depth. Great party appetizer.
Classic Quiche Lorraine with crisp bacon, sweet sauteed onion, Swiss cheese, and a half-and-half custard. The bacon drippings saute the onion for an extra layer of smoky depth.
Roasted Duckling with Apple Sesame Stuffing recipe
South Carolina one-pot chicken and rice cooked low and slow with smoked sausage until the rice soaks up every drop of savory broth.
Vegan fettuccine with a creamy butternut squash sauce made from blended steamed squash, soy milk, and sauteed vegetables with rosemary, savory, basil, and garlic. Dairy-free and rich.
Grilled Japanese eggplant and green bean salad with balsamic vinegar, red bell peppers, and mixed greens. A smoky, tangy summer salad ready in 30 minutes.
Vegetarian pinto bean and parsley burgers blend mashed beans with sauteed onion, garlic, and oregano, then crust with wheat germ for crunch. Pan-fried and served with barbecue sauce.
Grilled baby artichoke and white bean salad with thyme, red onion, and a lemon-Dijon vinaigrette with olives. A make-ahead Mediterranean side that improves as it sits in the fridge.
Mushroom and bacon stuffing with sage, marjoram, and bread cubes cooked in bacon drippings. Enough to fill a 12 to 14 pound Thanksgiving turkey.
Bow tie pasta with a chunky eggplant-tomato sauce simmered with basil, oregano, and cayenne in vegetable broth. A low-fat, oil-free vegan pasta that's full of flavor.
Good, inexpensive hearty meal although I would spice it up a little more probably with garlic and more onion.
Hearty baked bean soup with cannellini beans, stewed tomatoes, molasses, and chili powder. Thick, smoky, and on the table in 40 minutes. Vegan-friendly comfort food.
Instead of spaghetti, use spaghetti squash to make this cheesy and succulent casserole that also has browned beef and sauteed vegetables, which is much lower in calories and gluten free.
Veggie burgers in pita bread are homemade grain patties of barley, lentils, and rice with carrots, onion, and sunflower seeds, pan-fried golden and stuffed into warm pita pockets with lettuce and tomato.
Grilled ham steaks with a brown sugar and whiskey pan sauce. Butter-brushed, grilled until charred, and served with a quick onion roux sauce spiked with whiskey.
Vegetarian bulgur and walnut loaf packs nutty grains, mushrooms, mashed carrots, and toasted walnuts into a sliceable savory loaf. A hearty meatless main with deep umami from tamari and a tender, nubby texture.
Famous Cuban-style black beans and rice with mashed garlic-cumin-vinegar finishing paste. Vegan, diabetic-friendly, fat-free. Slow-simmered beans served over hot rice for a classic comfort plate.
Brown rice pilaf with mushrooms, shredded carrots, marjoram, and green onions cooked in chicken broth. A light, low-calorie side dish ready in under 20 minutes.
Tourtiere is a traditional French-Canadian pork pie seasoned with cloves, mace, and marjoram in a flaky double crust. A Quebec holiday classic that's just as good warm or cold.
Vegan mushroom ragout with dried porcini and fresh cremini sauteed in balsamic vinegar and mushroom soaking liquid, finished with Roma tomatoes and parsley. Served over polenta.
Hungarian goulash soup with tender beef cubes, paprika, green peppers, and caraway seeds simmered in beef stock. A hearty one-pot soup that tastes even better the next day.
Baked lentil casserole with sliced kielbasa, thyme, and a ketchup-lentil broth sauce. A hearty, high-protein one-dish dinner that turns humble lentils and Polish sausage into a warm, satisfying comfort meal.
Citrus quinoa and toasted pepitas salad simmers quinoa with green chiles, onion, and garlic, then tosses with lime juice, cilantro, scallions, and toasted pumpkin seeds. A Southwestern-leaning grain salad.
Chicken piccata with pounded chicken breasts seared in butter, finished with sherry, lemon juice, and capers in a quick pan sauce. A weeknight Italian classic for eight in 40 minutes.
Hearty Italian sausage soup with hot sausage, tomato puree, red wine, bell peppers, and fresh herbs simmered in beef stock. Served over rotelli pasta with Parmesan.
Green chile quiche loaded with canned green chiles and mixed cheese in a flaky pastry crust. A Southwestern twist on classic quiche with six eggs for a rich, custardy filling.
This meatloaf is so moist and full of flavour, thanks to ricotta cheese for adding the moisture. Tomato sauce, all the other seasonings and Parmesan cheese add tons of great flavor.
Pickled zucchini with onions and bell peppers in a sweet cider vinegar brine spiced with mustard seed, turmeric, celery seed, and cinnamon. A classic canning recipe.
Diabetic-friendly cottage cheese vegetable casserole with egg noodles, carrots, mushrooms, basil, and thyme. A low-fat, high-protein noodle bake using 1% cottage cheese and skim milk.
Smoked sausage and lentil gumbo with a dark roux, celery, onion, carrots, and cayenne. A hearty, protein-packed Cajun-style soup where lentils stand in for okra with rich, smoky depth.