Spicy Sichuan tofu stir-fried with hot bean paste, Sichuan peppercorns, and chili oil, finished with mushrooms, water chestnuts, and green onions for a tongue-tingling vegetarian main.
Gingered chicken salad with cubed cooked chicken, snow peas, bean sprouts, mushrooms, and scallions tossed in a fresh ginger-soy-sesame dressing. A 15-minute light Asian-style lunch salad.
Cajun-seasoned chicken breasts with a sweet-hot pepper jelly glaze made with vinegar, green onions, and chicken broth. One skillet, 25 minutes, and big bold Cajun flavor.
Pineapple salsa with fresh pineapple, red bell pepper, scallions, and a splash of fish sauce or salt with bright lime juice. A 15-minute tropical salsa for grilled fish, tacos, or chips.
Szechwan dry-fried beef: shredded steak fried until dark and chewy, then tossed with hot bean sauce, chiles, ginger, and toasted Sichuan peppercorns for that signature mala numbing-spicy heat.
General Chua's chicken with oil-blanched pieces stir-fried with dried chili pods, ginger, garlic, and a tangy soy-vinegar-sherry sauce. An authentic Chinese-American classic done right.
Szechwan sesame noodles pan-fried into a crisp pancake, then drizzled with a hot sesame peanut sauce. The crunchy-outside, soft-inside noodle base with classic Chinese restaurant flavor.
Chicken and orange salad with avocado, cilantro, green peas, and a cinnamon-spiked mayonnaise dressing. A Mexican-inspired no-cook lunch with citrus and lime.
Louisiana-style shrimp and chicken gumbo with smoked sausage, the holy trinity, and a dry-roasted oven roux. No-mess deep brown roux that drives serious Cajun flavor.
This slow simmering stew is full of flavor and will fill you up and warm you up.
Picante potato salad with corn, red bell pepper, and scallions in a cumin-spiked vinaigrette. A mayo-free Mexican-style side dish served cold with fresh cilantro.
Chinese steamed whole fish with ginger, scallions, and a savory stock-gin sauce finished with sizzling peanut oil. A classic Cantonese technique for flaky, tender fish.
Turkey steaks with Sausalito salsa: quick pan-seared turkey breast topped with a bright orange, tomato, green chili, and cilantro salsa. California-inspired dinner in 25 minutes.
Mock guacamole made with steamed asparagus and picante sauce instead of avocado. A low-fat, avocado-free dip with the same creamy green look and tangy flavor.
Magiritsa, the traditional Greek Easter soup of slow-simmered lamb and liver, rice, fresh herbs, and a silky egg-lemon avgolemono finish. Eaten after midnight mass to break the Lenten fast.
Duck gumbo simmers deboned duck in a dark butter roux with okra, tomatoes, and the Cajun holy trinity for a rich bayou stew. Ladle over rice for a Louisiana cold-weather classic.