12 desperation recipes

High-fiber pancakes packed with soy flour, whole wheat, wheat germ, and bran, lifted with whipped egg whites and brightened with orange juice. A wholesome breakfast that doesn't taste like cardboard.

A low-calorie party dip made from cottage cheese, garlic, parsley, white wine vinegar, and Italian seasoning. No cooking, just mix and chill. Light enough for any diet, flavorful enough for any crowd.

Honey-rum balls with ground walnuts, vanilla wafer crumbs, dark rum, and honey. Rolled in powdered sugar. A no-bake holiday confection that ages for 6 weeks for deeper flavor.

Traditional Japanese sashimi dipping sauce made by simmering soy sauce with katsuobushi (bonito flakes) and sake, then garnished with wasabi. Deeper and more aromatic than plain soy sauce.

Cold asparagus salad with a Chinese-style vinaigrette of rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Marinate overnight for deeper flavor, top with butter-toasted sunflower seeds.

Teriyaki chicken breasts marinated in a boiled teriyaki, fresh ginger, orange juice, and Vidalia onion sauce. Grill after two hours or an overnight soak for deeper flavor.

Braised beef brisket slow-cooked with onions, carrots, garlic, and bay leaves until fork tender. Best made a day ahead for easy defatting and deeper flavor.

Sun-dried tomato pesto: oil-packed sundried tomatoes blended with parmigiano-reggiano, toasted walnuts, garlic, and warm olive oil. A deeper, more savory alternative to basil pesto.

Asian-style grilled chicken marinated in soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, fresh ginger, and brown sugar. Marinate for an hour or overnight for deeper flavor.

Wild game chili with tender venison, beer, warm spices, and masa flour for authentic thickness: slow-simmered until rich, rested overnight for deeper flavor, serves twelve hunters.

Mushrooms Montreal is a no-cook appetizer of raw sliced mushrooms in a lemon cream dressing with scallions and parsley. Served immediately or marinated for deeper flavor.

Crab meat quiche with sherry-marinated crab, a rich egg custard of milk and cream, and a touch of nutmeg. The crab soaks in sherry for an hour before baking for deeper, more complex flavor.