Recipes with vegetable oil

Canned refried beans transform into a velvety smooth soup with chicken broth, green chilies, and cilantro, topped with melted cheese and sour cream for a quick Mexican-inspired meal ready in 20 minutes.

Moroccan tagine of okra and tomatoes uses a clever string-the-okra technique to keep pods whole while poaching in spiced tomato sauce. A vegetarian Maghreb classic served hot or warm.

Golden-seared chicken simmered in raspberry vinegar and chicken stock, finished with a velvety cream reduction. A French nouvelle cuisine classic that balances fruity tartness with rich, savory depth.

Vegetarian cabbage rolls stuffed with tofu, pearl barley, bulgur, rice, and pine nuts, baked low and slow in a sweet-tangy tomato sauce. A hearty, meat-free comfort classic.

Classic New England johnnycake made with yellow cornmeal and tangy buttermilk. This diabetic-friendly cornbread uses sugar substitute and comes together in 40 minutes with no fuss.

Pork stir-fry with green beans and mushrooms cooks quick in a wok with soy sauce and a cornstarch gravy. Tender shredded pork, snapping green beans, meaty mushrooms. A 30-minute Chinese-American weeknight dinner from one pan.

Scallops en papillote - bay scallops with asparagus, ginger, and lemon baked in parchment paper hearts. An elegant low-calorie dinner for two, ready in 1 hour.

Grilled grouper marinated in tequila, triple sec, and lime juice, served with fresh tomato-jalapeno salsa. A margarita-inspired fish dish straight off the grill.

Authentic Goan pork vindaloo marinated 24 hours in vinegar, ginger, garlic, and a dry-spice masala of cumin, coriander, cardamom, and cloves. Tangy, fiery, and deep-flavored Indian curry.

Boiled pierogi topped with caramelized onions and red peppers in a sweet-tangy vinegar glaze. A quick, comforting Eastern European weeknight dinner ready in 30 minutes.

An easy chocolate mint cake using box cake mix for quick and easy preparation.

Chocolate bundt cake spiked with Kahlua and instant coffee, made easy with a cake mix and pudding mix shortcut. Drizzled with a coffee liqueur icing that soaks into every ridge.

Yeasted cinnamon buns with a brown sugar swirl, tangy cream cheese filling pressed into each center, and a sweet vanilla glaze drizzled on top. Bakery-level from scratch.

When spring arrives, asparagus is always one of our favorite vegetables; and the best way to cook them is roasting or grilling that develops tons of flavor, simply toss with the marinated artichoke hearts, hmm, now there is a good reason to allow yourself to indulge.

French-style prune and Armagnac cake with a cornmeal crumb, yogurt for moisture, and a boozy glaze from the prune soaking liquid. Rustic and elegant.

Moist prune cake made with baby food prunes, cinnamon, and nutmeg. A one-bowl spiced cake that beats everything for 3 minutes and bakes hands-off.