Scotch eggs with fresh herbs: hard-boiled eggs wrapped in herby sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried to a crackly golden shell. A British pub classic for picnics.
Pinto bean and squash stew with bacon, jalapeno, and butternut squash, topped with red onion, cilantro, and sour cream. A rustic Southwestern stew built for cool weather.
Seared tuna on leaf lettuce: quickly seared tuna over dressed greens with a warm pineapple-ginger-jalapeño salsa, finished with sizzled scallions in smoking olive oil. A restaurant-caliber composed salad for summer entertaining.
Browned chicken breasts baked in a creamy rosemary sauce with artichoke hearts and green beans. A hearty casserole that feeds six with California flair.
Homemade potstickers from scratch: hand-rolled dough wrappers filled with pork, napa cabbage, ginger and water chestnut, pan-fried crisp then steamed tender. Served with a soy, chili oil and vinegar dipping sauce.
Fresh Mediterranean tomato salad with cucumber, black olives, mint, parsley, and a simple lemon-olive oil dressing. A crisp, herbaceous no-cook side dish ready in 15 minutes.
Savory rice pancakes with Parmesan cheese and scallions folded into a simple batter with leftover cooked rice. A clever way to use day-old rice for breakfast or dinner.
Sorrel borscht is a chilled Eastern European soup with lemony sorrel leaves, potatoes, dill, and sour cream. A tangy, refreshing cold soup for warm weather.
Four-bean casserole with pork and beans, pinto, kidney, and green beans baked in chili sauce and brown sugar. A dump-and-bake potluck side dish for a crowd.
Cold tuna noodle salad with mayo, hot sauce, garlic powder, oregano, and chopped scallions. A spicy, no-cook lunch for two using pantry staples.
Hot salsa verde with tangy tomatillos, pickled jalapeno, fresh cilantro, parsley, and scallions blitzed in a food processor. The bright, raw Mexican salsa for tacos, eggs, or chips in 10 minutes.
Cantaloupe halves stuffed with sauteed carrots, green apple, raisins, rice, lemon zest, and topped with browned pine nuts. A sweet-savory baked melon dish with Middle Eastern flair.
Chicken scallopine in a creamy mushroom sauce with breadcrumb-crusted cutlets, sautéed onion, and a nutmeg-kissed cream finish. An Italian-American classic that turns weeknight chicken into something special.
Szechwan spiced beef stew braised with star anise, hot bean paste, crushed peppercorns, and dry sherry. Deeply aromatic Chinese-style comfort food.
Fresh cranberry salsa with jalapenos, mint, lime juice, and ginger. A tart, spicy no-cook condiment that needs 24 hours to chill and keeps for up to 4 days.
Broccomole is a low-fat guacamole alternative made from pureed broccoli stems with cumin, lemon juice, tomato, and green chilies. All the flavor of guac without the avocado.