Low-fat asparagus guacamole made with pureed cooked asparagus and yogurt instead of avocado. Same guacamole seasonings - cumin, cayenne, garlic, tomato - a fraction of the fat.
Steamed red cabbage wedges and quartered red potatoes drizzled with a horseradish butter sauce with green onions. A simple vegetarian side dish.
Soba noodles with snow pea greens and shiitake mushrooms in a shallot-chili-soy-rice wine sauce. An oil-free Japanese-style noodle bowl with deep umami and tender seasonal greens.
Dijon chicken salad sandwich on croissants with mayonnaise, green onions, dill, and Dijon mustard. A quick no-cook lunch ready in 5 minutes with a tangy, herbed chicken filling.
Persian herb frittata loaded with spinach, parsley, dill, cilantro, and scallions baked until fluffy and golden for a protein-rich meal.
Szechuan chicken in sesame paste with toasted peppercorns, green tea, ginger, and red pepper flakes, served cold in lettuce wraps. A spicy, make-ahead Chinese appetizer.
Asparagus shrimp salad with herb dressing marinates plump shrimp and crisp-tender spears in a vinaigrette sharp with basil, oregano, and chervil. Cool, make-ahead salad served over lettuce with diced tomato and Monterey Jack.
These crispy pan-fried crabcakes get their crunch from a golden cornmeal crust while minced cornichons and jalapeño add bright, briny heat. Fresh lump crab stays the star with minimal filler.
Bean burrito casserole layers tortillas with pinto beans, brown rice, and scallions under a homemade chili-spiked enchilada sauce. Vegetarian make-ahead Mexican casserole baked in one dish.
Cauliflower with beef Sichuan style: marinated round steak stir-fried with cauliflower, carrots, and dried mushrooms in a peppercorn-spiced sauce. Classic Sichuan balance of heat and depth.
Chicken and almond rissoles with stir-fried vegetables: grated potato and carrot bind cooked chicken into oval patties, rolled in almonds and baked alongside snow peas and baby corn.
Pork tenderloin baked in a savory broth of Worcestershire, soy sauce, coriander, fennel, and chervil with mushrooms and scallions. Works in the oven or Crockpot.
A great way to give tofu some kick. Quite a traditional Chinese dish.
Chicken olive and mushroom bread pudding: savory layered casserole with curried chicken, black olives, mushrooms, and a cream-of-chicken sour cream top. Make-ahead party dish for sixteen.
Asian-style pasta salad tosses cheese tortellini with sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger, and five-spice dressing alongside snow peas, red pepper, scallion, and shredded carrot over cabbage. East-West fusion that works.