Shrimp scampi sauteed in butter with garlic, lemon juice, and a hit of Tabasco. Five minutes from pan to plate over angel hair pasta or rice. The classic Italian-American restaurant dish made faster than takeout.
Mediterranean-style minted potato salad with olive oil, lemon juice, scallions, and parsley. No mayo, served chilled with warm pita bread on the side.
Five-day beans: a slow-cook project where dried limas soak, simmer with aromatics, rest, and finish under a crusty cream and breadcrumb topping. Bean heaven for patient cooks.
Shrimp and wine spaghetti in a garlicky tomato sauce with white wine, basil, and oregano. A quick Italian-style seafood pasta dinner ready in under 45 minutes.
Creamy potato and cucumber soup with heavy cream, dill, and grated scallion. Potatoes riced until silky smooth, with tender cucumber pieces in every spoonful. Served hot.
Savory quick bread loaded with sun-dried tomatoes, provolone cheese, pine nuts, and scallions. A no-yeast buttermilk loaf that keeps for days.
Italian herbed potatoes made in the microwave with frozen hash browns, green onions, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese. A 20-minute side dish with herb-butter flavor and zero oven time.
Bacon and sharp cheddar quiche with green onions sautéed in bacon drippings, a half-and-half custard, and a kick of cayenne and dry mustard. Rich, savory, and sliceable for dinner or party appetizers.
Beef tournedos seared, crusted with Parmesan-laced fresh corn, then finished in the oven with a roasted corn and tomato pan sauce. A summer-meets-steakhouse plate.
Shrimp egg foo young: fluffy Chinese egg patties packed with shrimp, bean sprouts and mushrooms, pan-fried golden and smothered in a savory soy gravy. The takeout classic, made at home.
Velvety oyster soup with heavy cream, tender scallions, and nutmeg. This elegant restaurant-style recipe for two uses strained oyster liquor for deep briny flavor. Serve with crisp toast points.
Light lasagna roll-ups filled with part-skim ricotta, broccoli, spinach, and scallions, topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella. A low-fat vegetarian twist.
Sweet 'n' sour squash medley: zucchini, yellow squash, and green beans simmered in a cinnamon-spiced brown sugar and white wine vinegar brine. A refrigerator side that lasts for days.
Minced lamb fondue rolls seasoned ground lamb with scallions and breadcrumbs into walnut-sized balls that get speared and deep-fried at the table. Served with a creamy sherry-mushroom sauce for dipping.
Salt-and-pepper spicy shrimp: the classic Cantonese wok-fried shell-on shrimp tossed with garlic, ginger, scallions, chiles, and crunchy peppercorn-salt. Dinner on the table in 30 minutes.
Blue cheese potato salad with red potatoes, yogurt, buttermilk, and scallions. A lighter, tangier twist on classic potato salad with no mayonnaise.