501 halva recipes

Lightly floured fish cubes sautéed with mushrooms, garlic, cherry tomatoes, and curry powder, deglazed with white wine and served over rice. A quick dinner for two in 30 minutes.

Broiled snapper fillets and caramelized bananas topped with fresh orange juice, zesty chili peppers, and red onion. A tropical, low-fat dinner that's on the table in 20 minutes flat. Squeeze lime over everything.

Topig is a traditional Armenian Lenten dish: chickpea and potato dough wrapped around a filling of tahini, pine nuts, currants, and spiced onions, then boiled until firm. Vegan, hearty, and steeped in centuries of tradition.

Moroccan-spiced beef brisket braised with turmeric, ginger, tomatoes, and briny green olives. Seared, slow-braised, chilled to defat, then reheated for fork-tender slices.

Wok-seared chicken with sweet potatoes, red potatoes, winter squash, and bell peppers tossed with angel hair pasta in a spicy orange-hot sauce glaze. A colorful, high-protein dinner ready in 35 minutes.

Why this recipe works: Simmering chicken broth with lime zest and ginger is a shortcut to Asian flavor.

Warm fajita rice salad with lime-marinated sirloin, corn, black olives, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty picante dressing. Tex-Mex meets rice bowl in one bold platter.

Bruschetta with chopped tomato salad featuring red and yellow bell peppers, capers, fresh basil, and balsamic vinegar. Low-fat, no oil, served as a mound alongside garlic-rubbed toast.

Creamy onion and garlic soup thickened with a roux and enriched with heavy cream, white wine, and beef stock. Topped with broiled blue cheese croutons.

Cold green vegetable soup with poached fish. Source: Olga Gorechev, St. Petersburg, Russia

Pasta tossed with raw fresh tomato vinaigrette of vine-ripened tomatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, basil, and parsley. A low-calorie no-cook summer sauce that comes together while the pasta boils.

Turkish-style zucchini halves stuffed with feta, Swiss cheese, eggs, fresh dill, and garlic, baked until set and golden. A savory vegetarian main with Mediterranean flair.

A bubbly pasta bake loaded with artichoke hearts, chestnut mushrooms, smoked ham, and herbed soft cheese under a golden breadcrumb and cheddar crust. Comfort food with a Continental twist.

Adding some fresh vegetables with some chili lime dressing makes this leftover turkey salad taste so flavorful and refreshing.

Cod baked in a foil packet over sautéed red peppers, black olives, and garlic with a hint of allspice. Open at the table for a burst of Mediterranean aroma. Single-serving and ready in 45 minutes.

Fluffy and buttery shortcake is filled with spiced and citrus plums in between.