599 half half recipes

Rice vermicelli tangles with crisp cucumber, bok choy, and matchstick carrots in a creamy peanut butter sauce spiked with chili garlic paste, ginger, and fresh cilantro for a make-ahead Asian noodle salad.

Japanese noodle soup with shiitake mushrooms, snow peas, red pepper, and rice noodles in a hot sesame broth, finished with ginger, brown rice vinegar, and roasted cashews. A vegetarian, low-fat Asian soup ready in 45 minutes.

Frozen pumpkin pie with vanilla pudding, whipped topping, pumpkin puree, gingersnap crumbs, and chopped nuts in a graham cracker crust. A no-bake Thanksgiving dessert.

Grilled rainbow trout fillets marinated in lemon and olive oil, served with a chunky salsa of fire-kissed eggplant, red and green bell peppers, scallions, and black olives.

Bread machine beer bread studded with broken pretzel sticks for a salty crunch in every slice. Made with light beer, bread flour, and a touch of ginger for a pub-inspired loaf.

Velvety mushroom barley soup with a clever trick: half the barley gets pureed with sauteed mushrooms for extra body. Lightened up with skim evaporated milk and a splash of dry vermouth.

Avocado and mozzarella stuffed tomatoes hollow out vine-ripe tomatoes and fill them with cubed avocado and fresh mozzarella tossed in basil-balsamic vinaigrette. Five-minute summer appetizer with caprese-salad bones.

Slow cooker rice pudding with long-grain rice, half a gallon of milk, raisins, and cinnamon. A hands-off Crock pot dessert that simmers itself into creamy, custardy comfort.

Greek garbanzo bean soup with kidney beans, tomato sauce, and vegetables sauteed in broth instead of oil. Half-pureed for a thick, hearty texture that's naturally low in fat.

Mild blender salsa with tomatoes, banana peppers, cilantro, onion, and garlic. No heat, no cooking, no fuss. Just blend and serve.

Sweet, sour and slightly spicy. Cucumber, sweet bell pepper, carrots, wood ears and smoked tofu are tossed with rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, soy sauce and Korean chili pepper. A very tasty side dish that goes well with all your favorite Korean dishes or most of the main courses.

Classic green bean casserole with cream of mushroom soup, milk, a splash of soy sauce, and crispy French fried onions baked on top. The Thanksgiving side dish that earns its spot every year.

Ouisie's black bean soup with toasted cumin, thyme, carrots, celery, and chili flakes, half-pureed for body. Topped with sour cream, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

Georgia barbecue sauce: a tangy ketchup-and-vinegar Southern classic with brown sugar, mustard, garlic, and a half lemon simmered right in the pot. Perfect for basting pork, ribs, and chicken on the grill.

Sweet potatoes simmered with sliced persimmons, sugar, and fresh citrus juice until a glossy syrup forms. A one-pot seasonal side with an unexpected fruit pairing.

Roman bean soup with lima beans, fresh tomatoes, and a bright squeeze of lemon. Half-pureed for a rustic, creamy texture that feels like a warm Italian afternoon.