48 hand recipes

Shepherd's beef pie with diced cooked beef in gravy, peas and carrots, topped with a ring of mashed potatoes and baked until golden. A fast way to use leftover roast beef.

Traditional Melton Mowbray pork pie with hand-raised hot water crust pastry, seasoned diced pork shoulder, and pork bone jelly. A classic British cold pie served chilled.

Kakuluwo is a Sri Lankan crab curry simmered in two rounds of coconut milk with fenugreek, grated coconut, and curry leaves. Messy to eat, absolutely worth every bite.

Whole hard-shell crabs simmered in a garlicky tomato sauce with red pepper flakes, cracked and tossed over spaghetti. Messy, hands-on, and worth every napkin.

Creamy white beans bound with garlicky spinach puree and soft bread crumbs, seasoned with oregano and thyme. A hearty, plant-based side dish with earthy flavor.

Festive cupcakes decorated as a colorful caterpillar for kids' parties. Fluffy vanilla or chocolate cakes topped with tinted frosting, shredded coconut, and candy details arranged in a whimsical crawling pattern.

Scottish rabbit curry with streaky bacon, button onions, curry powder, and mushroom powder simmered in stock. A British colonial-era game curry served thick over rice.

Make-ahead wild rice chicken casserole loaded with crunchy water chestnuts, tender celery, and a creamy mushroom soup topping baked until golden and bubbly. Freezer-friendly comfort food for two.

Hot bananas a la Baloo are grilled bananas marinated in honey, sambal oelek, and soy sauce. Spicy-sweet Indonesian-Japanese fusion side that pairs with grilled meats. Just four ingredients.

New Orleans seafood gumbo loaded with shrimp, hard-shell crab, and shucked oysters in a roux-thickened broth with okra and the holy trinity. Served over rice, Cajun style.

Tex-Mex mac and cheese with ground beef, peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomato paste, and corn folded into boxed mac and cheese. A protein-packed weeknight upgrade ready in 40 minutes.

Southern-style okra stewed with Rotel tomatoes and green chilies, bacon drippings, bell pepper, celery, and chili powder. A smoky, spicy side dish that freezes well.

Asparagus, tofu, and bell pepper are stir-fried in a Chinese based garlic-ginger-soy sauce. It's packed with deliciousness and goodness.

Whole wheat carrot spice quickbread with orange zest, golden raisins, and walnuts. A lighter, warmly spiced loaf that comes together fast with no yeast required.

Roasted potato and surimi salad: red potatoes roasted hot with garlic, then tossed with imitation crab, hard-boiled eggs, and a dilled mayo-yogurt dressing. A lighter upgrade to classic potato salad.

Texas-style beef chili with coarsely ground chuck, beer, Rotel tomatoes, and a bold nine-spice blend. No beans, all meat. Make it in the microwave or slow cooker.