137 clear recipes

Strawberry tart with a no-bake vanilla pudding filling in a graham cracker crust, topped with fresh berries and a hint of orange zest. A simple diabetic-friendly dessert in 30 minutes.

Grilled soft-shell crab sandwiches: whole crabs grilled hot for two and a half minutes per side, piled onto rolls with green chile aioli, mixed greens, and sliced tomato.

A gourmet vegan black bean chili loaded with chanterelle and shiitake mushrooms, five types of chiles, spelt berries, fresh corn, and dried sour cherries. Simmered in tomato and orange juice for layers of earthy, smoky, sweet heat.

Scrambled Tofu for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner recipe

Easy roasted vegetable pasta sauce with oven-roasted red peppers, onions, and garlic folded into jarred spaghetti sauce with sauteed mushrooms and fresh basil. A semi-homemade upgrade.

Cold-smoked grilled pompano with a smoked tomato and aged balsamic vinaigrette. A two-stage technique that builds deep smoke and char on a rich Gulf Coast game fish.

Whole grilled sea bass over a raw winter slaw of julienned carrot, parsnip, and celeriac with toasted walnuts and champagne vinegar. Bistro-style dinner for two in 30 minutes.

Boiled speckled trout poached in a fragrant court bouillon of cloves, allspice, thyme, bay leaf, and dried red pepper. A heritage Louisiana recipe served with drawn butter.

French-style steak salad with grilled flank steak, lemon-sauteed mushrooms, and red onion marinated in a herb vinaigrette with chervil, basil, and thyme.

Char-grilled baby octopus simmered in red wine and olive oil.

Summer pudding-style fruit cake lined with sponge cake and packed with kirsch-soaked strawberries, blackberries, cherries, and currants. Chilled overnight and unmolded.

Potato, artichoke, and leek soup pureed silky smooth with fresh thyme and a touch of Tabasco. Served hot or cold, this creamy soup uses milk instead of heavy cream for a lighter bowl.

Note: In lieu of fresh trout, 1/2 lb cooked and flaked fish may be used. Make smaller protions and serve as an appetizer. Oatcakes that have been gently warmed in the oven go well with this dish.

Stuffed Chinese black mushrooms filled with seasoned crushed tofu, ginger, garlic, sesame, and scallion, then grilled or broiled. A vegan-friendly appetizer with earthy, umami-rich mushroom caps.

Traditional Caribbean callaloo soup with dasheen, okra, plantain, and yam puréed into a silky, spiced broth with a Scotch bonnet kick. Warm, green, and soul-filling.

Artichoke and leek pizza: fresh baby artichokes braised with pancetta, onions, and sweet leeks, piled onto thin-crust pizza with mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano. A restaurant-worthy springtime slice that looks and tastes like Rome.