Recipes with water

Chocolate snowy cake with a fluffy whipped cream filling between a cocoa sheet cake and a poured chocolate frosting. An eggless cake base with vinegar for lift.

Cranberry mousse with whole cranberry sauce, crushed pineapple, sour cream, and pecans set in a gelatin mold. A tangy, creamy holiday dessert or side dish.

Curried whole chickpeas (chana) simmer in a freshly ground spice blend of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and cumin with ginger, chilies, and tomato. Authentic Indian vegetarian curry.

Vegan tempeh and mushroom stew simmered with soy sauce and tomato, piled over creamy mashed potatoes. A hearty plant-based comfort dinner with rich umami depth.

Double rice stuffing for a 12-pound turkey with long grain and wild rice blend, sautéed celery and onion, and briny pimento-stuffed green olives. A bread-free Thanksgiving stuffing alternative.

Indian-style lentil dal with cumin seeds, garlic, onion, and cayenne. A simple, fragrant vegan main course built on five-pantry ingredients. Ready in 45 minutes.

Salmon corncakes flake poached salmon with sweet corn, shallots, peppers, and cilantro into pan-fried cracker-crumbed patties. Pacific Northwest meets Southwestern in one crispy bite.

New England chuck roast slow-cooked with carrots, onions, celery, and cabbage wedges, served with a homemade horseradish gravy from the pot broth.

Classic British summer pudding made with softened berries and white bread, chilled overnight until the juices soak through. Unmold for a jewel-toned dome of fruit served with whipped cream.

Chilled honeydew melon soup with mint, honey, lime juice, and buttermilk for a tangy edge. A refreshing 6-ingredient summer first course or light dessert.

Couscous salad with almonds and currants: steamed vegetables tossed with fluffy couscous in an orange-lemon-cinnamon marinade. North African-inspired vegetarian side that travels well.

Italian-style stuffed meatloaf rolls ground beef around hard-boiled eggs, salami, ham, mozzarella, and parmesan, then simmers in tomato sauce. A classic polpettone showstopper.

Mom's slow cook chili made with ground beef chuck, tomato sauce, chili beans, and paprika. Works in a crockpot for 8 hours or a pressure cooker in under 30 minutes.

Homemade French herb bread with buttermilk, dry ranch seasoning mix, and a buttery herb-sprinkled crust. Two loaves shaped into classic slashed baguette-style rolls.

Steelhead fillet Bonne Femme: poached in fish fumet, blanketed in white wine sauce and sauteed mushrooms, glazed with hollandaise under the broiler. A classic French seafood preparation.

Fresh pesto pasta with basil, sauteed garlic, pine nuts, miso paste, and lemon juice. A dairy-free, vegan pesto that gets its umami depth from miso instead of Parmesan.