Recipes with salt

A hearty Louisiana-style lentil stew simmered with tomatoes, red wine, zucchini, and Italian herbs. Think of it as Cajun chili without the meat. Serve over polenta or brown rice.

Stuffed pork burgers with a sauteed mushroom and green onion filling sealed between two seasoned patties. Grilled until juicy and served on kaiser rolls with fresh toppings.

These scrumptious treats are made with whole wheat flour and a bit of garlic powder.

Classic Caesar salad with romaine lettuce, garlic oil, coddled eggs, Worcestershire, lemon juice, Parmesan, and croutons. Tossed tableside-style in the traditional method.

Pimiento spread blends tofu, oil, vinegar, and seasoning into a creamy mayo-free sandwich filling, then folds in crumbled tofu, sweet relish, and chopped pimientos. A vegan twist on the Southern classic.

Cream of sun-dried tomato soup thickened with rice flour and infused with a classic bouquet garni. A silky, intensely tomatoey French-style soup that works low-fat or with a swirl of cream.

Almond macaroon brownies layer a rich chocolate brownie base with a cream cheese, coconut, and almond macaroon topping, finished with a chocolate drizzle. One pan, two indulgent textures.

A tantalizing and delicious pasta dish that's perfect for a light lunch!

My husband loves banana cream pie, and I love chocolate, so I decided to combine the two and the result was better than either one of us could imagine. It is delicious, and has tuned out to be a favorite.

Gefuellte Maultaschen, Swabian stuffed pasta triangles filled with smoked meat, sauteed bread cubes, and scallions, simmered and served in hot broth.

A simple and scrumptious dish made with a tasty sauce that you won't mind licking off of your fingers.

A basic lentil salad that can make any dinner seem a bit different.

Basic kibbi (kibbeh) of ground lamb, bulgur wheat, onion, and warm cinnamon, mixed to a smooth paste and baked or fried. The foundational Lebanese recipe for the national dish of the Levant.

Milk chocolate pralines with pecans, made from a simple sugar syrup with corn syrup and vinegar. These no-bake candies set up fast with a glossy chocolate shell and crunchy nuts.

Broiled tomato mozzarella bruschetta with Roma tomatoes, fresh basil, capers, and balsamic vinegar on toasted Italian bread. Ready in 15 minutes as an appetizer or light meal.

Chicken and andouille sausage gumbo with a dark lard roux, okra, the holy trinity, and a seven-spice seasoning mix. Authentic Louisiana gumbo served over rice.

Fat-free apple oat muffins using pureed prunes as a fat substitute, egg whites instead of whole eggs, and maple syrup for sweetness. Just 90 calories each.

Easy cola beef pot roast braised in cola and chicken broth with onion, carrot, and peas. Surprising soda-tenderized beef with a glossy, sweet-savory sauce.

Italian focaccia studded with olives, pine nuts, and roasted red peppers, finished with fresh basil and cracked pepper. A puffy, dimpled flatbread perfect for antipasto boards and sandwich bases.

Cajun-style barbecue sauce simmered low with onions, sweet red bell peppers, white wine, honey, and a hint of dried mint. A from-scratch sauce with serious depth and Louisiana character.

Country potato salad with a vinaigrette-soaked Yukon Gold base, hard-boiled eggs, dill pickles, black olives and a cayenne-spiked mayo dressing. The vinegar-while-hot trick is what sets it apart.

Peppered farmhouse pate with pork shoulder, liver, veal, green peppercorns, and brandy, wrapped in stretched bacon and baked in a water bath. A rustic French-style terrine for entertaining.

Crayfish tails poached in dill-scented court bouillon and topped with a dill hollandaise sauce. A Scandinavian-inspired dinner served over white rice.

Hearty vegetable beef soup simmered 4 hours with stewing beef, split peas, potatoes, carrots, corn, lima beans, spinach, and tomatoes. A true one-pot meal for cold days.

A gourmet take on a classic snack. Don't be fooled by the humble ingredients, this is delicious

Eight pepper beef chili loaded with chipotles, habaneros, poblanos, jalapeños, anchos, and more. A slow-simmered, layered-heat chili that brings serious fire.

Beef barley soup made from braised short ribs, canned tomatoes, pearl barley, and a load of carrots, celery, and bell pepper. The ribs simmer first to render rich beef flavor before the vegetables and barley go in.

Classic lasagne verdi with homemade spinach pasta sheets layered with tomato sauce, cheese sauce, and Parmesan. Traditional Italian green lasagna from scratch.

Fresh berry quick bread with cinnamon and chopped nuts baked into two loaves. Use strawberries or blueberries for a moist, freezer-friendly fruit bread.

Homemade butterhorn rolls shaped into buttery crescents from a soft yeasted dough with eggs, milk, and shortening. Light, flaky, and golden after a double rise.

Lamb shank and bean casserole inspired by French cassoulet: garlic-studded shanks braised in red wine and beef stock, layered with beans, caramelized onions, and topped with bacon and golden breadcrumbs.

Cheddar beer vegetable soup with a roux-based broth, mushrooms, and tender-crisp broccoli kept whole and added to the bowl. Two cheeses, one beer, and a soup that lives up to its name.

Cajun chicken and sausage gumbo with a dark roux, ham, two kinds of sausage, Creole seasoning, and cayenne. A Louisiana party pot that feeds 15 to 20.

Baked halibut steaks on a bed of slow-cooked peppers, onion, balsamic vinegar, and herbes de Provence. A Provencal-inspired one-dish fish dinner with bold, layered flavors.

I was surprised at how good this was. I will add fresh cilantro next time, and fresh veggies such as corn and green onion, celery. Was not spicy enough for my taste, so maybe add jalepeno next time as well. I enjoy this recipe!

The key to the subtly balanced flavors in this dish is using very fresh produce. Walnut sized new red potatoes from a farmers market work best.

Chinese-style cold salad of rehydrated jellyfish shreds, crisp salted daikon and velvet-poached chicken breast, dressed with sesame oil, sherry and scallions.

Crown roast of pork roasted low and slow, filled with stuffing midway through cooking. A show-stopping centerpiece for holiday dinners and special occasions.

Barbecue pulled chicken made in a slow cooker with smoky chipotle, green chiles, honey, and cider vinegar. Hands-off comfort food that piles high on buns or over rice.

Edna's cranberry cake with a layer of whole cranberry sauce baked between two layers of sour cream batter in a tube pan, topped with chopped walnuts. A holiday Bundt cake classic.

Grilled bread salad with fresh figs, roasted red peppers, basil, and a balsamic-lemon vinaigrette. A summer grilled panzanella that turns stale bread into a smoky, fig-sweet main course salad.

Low-fat chocolate Bundt cake made with russet potato and yogurt for incredible moisture, whole wheat flour, and whipped egg whites. No butter, no egg yolks, all richness.

Chocolate thumbprint cookies rolled in chopped nuts, filled with sweet vanilla cream, and crowned with a chocolate kiss pressed into the center. A holiday cookie tray classic with three textures in every bite.

Italian-style pot roast is a beef chuck braised for three hours with soffritto, tomato paste, red wine, and Italian herbs. Sliced beef plus pasta sauce over spaghetti, feeds eight.

Pasta e fagioli with sweet Italian sausage, white beans, Roma tomatoes, white wine, and fusilli. A hearty Italian pasta and bean dish loaded with herbs and Parmesan.

Arugula and red onion salad tosses peppery greens with thin red onion in a sharp red wine vinegar and olive oil dressing. A 5-minute Italian side that pairs with grilled meats or pasta.

Vegan Amaretto coconut bread with silken tofu, coconut milk, and unsweetened coconut flakes. No eggs, no dairy, and toasted slices with your morning coffee are genuinely something.

Summer tortellini salad tosses cheese tortellini with shredded chicken, green and black olives, red bell pepper, sweet Vidalia onion, and a herbes de Provence vinaigrette. A picnic-ready pasta salad for four.