Louisiana seafood gumbo loaded with shrimp, crab, and oysters in a dark roux broth. Okra and the holy trinity thicken this Cajun classic, finished with file powder and ladled over rice.
Wine-poached salmon fillets on a bed of scallions, gently steamed under buttered foil. Tender, flaky, restaurant-style with five-ingredient elegance.
Pan-seared pork chops with a quick peanut ginger sauce made from chicken broth, peanut butter, and lemon juice. Served over noodles and topped with chopped peanuts.
Shrimp and scallions in a spanish style tortilla. In Spain a pancake is called a tortilla.
Mu shu-style beef roll-ups in flour tortillas with orange marmalade-salsa glaze, spinach, mushrooms, and sliced almonds. A sweet-heat fusion wrap baked until warm.
Crustless vegetable quiche with broccoli, potatoes, and red peppers in a light cottage cheese and egg substitute base. Low-fat, high-protein, and packed with fresh vegetables.
Baked hot bean dip with cream cheese, cheddar, Monterey Jack, sour cream, and taco seasoning, spiked with hot sauce. Bubbling, cheesy, and perfect with tortilla chips.
Breakfast spiced pork casserole layers ground pork seasoned with fennel and garlic over cubed bread in a lightened egg-substitute custard. Assemble the night before, bake in the morning.
Chinese dried and button mushrooms stuffed with seasoned pork shoulder filling, steamed and served with plum sauce and hot mustard dipping sauces. A classic dim sum appetizer with rich umami flavor.
Pasta green salad tosses rotini and shredded Swiss with green beans, peas, cucumber and bell pepper in a creamy lemon-dill yogurt dressing. A bright, make-ahead potluck salad you dress right before serving.
Oven-baked salmon cakes with sharp cheddar, cracker crumbs, scallions, and Worcestershire sauce, coated in buttered crumbs and baked crispy. No frying, just 10 minutes in a hot oven.
Five-spice chicken thighs in a soy, sherry, ginger, and brown sugar sauce, cooked in the microwave in 30 minutes. The pan juices thicken into a glossy sauce spooned right over the top.
What a great way to cook with seasonal veggies. I used both green zucchini and yellow summer squash that grew in my garden as well as tomato, and it was yummy and refreshing.
Fresh Willapa Bay oysters baked on the half shell with cognac-green peppercorn butter, fresh herbs, and melted Gruyere. A showstopping Pacific Northwest appetizer ready in 30 minutes.
Red-skinned potatoes tossed in a bright parsley-cucumber sauce with dill, lemon, and scallions. A fresh, dairy-free Jewish side dish topped with poppy seeds.
Wok-fried rice stick noodles with chicken, shrimp, barbecued pork, snow peas, and dried mushrooms in a curry-soy sauce. An authentic Singapore noodle dish ready in 30 minutes.