200 hint recipes

Aush is a hearty Afghan noodle dish layered with split peas, kidney beans, spinach, spiced lamb keema, and tangy mint yogurt. Handmade noodles meet bold Central Asian flavors in this soul-satisfying one-bowl meal.

Crunchy Thai chicken salad with crispy wonton strips, bean sprouts, and peanuts tossed in a zesty lime-fish sauce dressing with fresh mint, basil, and lemongrass.

Peruvian-style shrimp chowder with flounder, potatoes, corn, and cream cheese in a spicy tomato broth, garnished with fresh mint. A rich seafood soup ready in 45 minutes.

Crisp mixed greens meet crunchy vegetables in a creamy sesame-peanut dressing spiked with lime and ginger. Roasted peanuts add texture while brown rice syrup brings subtle sweetness to balance the tangy, garlicky Asian-inspired flavors.

Kolkata-style curried salmon simmered with whole spices, yogurt, and mustard, served over crisp-tender steamed vegetables. Fragrant with cardamom, cloves, and fresh ginger.

Black-eyed pea and crab salad with bacon, roasted peppers, and fresh herbs in a bright vinaigrette. A Stephan Pyles-style Southwestern recipe served on gorditas or crisp tortillas.

Individual crustless spinach and feta pies baked in ramekins with mint, nutmeg, and a bright Greek tomato salad on the side. A Mediterranean appetizer or light main.

Spring artichoke hearts, tender leeks, and sweet peas simmer into light herbed soup brightened with mint, parsley, and a drizzle of Parmesan-topped olive oil.

Grilled leg of lamb with currant-bell pepper chutney: red wine and curry-marinated lamb grilled over mesquite, served with a sweet-savory port and currant chutney.

This is a very colorful and tasty arrangement of marinated and then skewered and grilled vegetables and fish. The marinade, called chermoulla, is a blend of fragrant seasonings, oil, and lemon juice. In this version I've suggested my favorite vegetables for kebabs. You should choose your own favorites; some other good choices are eggplants, mushrooms, and onions.

Lima beans with grilled stuffed grape leaves: vegetarian dolmas packed with spinach, zucchini, and summer squash, skewered and grilled, served over simmered lima beans with tomato and jalapeno.

Frozen chocolate peanut butter mousse cake shaped in a tilted loaf pan to form a dramatic triangular cross-section. A restaurant-style showstopper dessert.

A Greek lamb salad of lemon-and-rosemary marinated lamb, griddled and sliced over a loaded tomato, cucumber, and olive salad with a herby dressing and crumbled feta. A summery main-course salad.

An elegant vegetarian plate of couscous, basmati rice, and quinoa timbales served over a silky roasted sweet corn coulis. Restaurant-worthy presentation for a dinner party grain course.

Cajun chicken sauce piquant with a dark roux, Chablis wine, tomato sauce, stuffed olives, and hot pepper sauce, slow-cooked for hours and served over spaghetti. Big-batch Cajun cooking.

Homemade vegetable hummus stuffed into whole wheat pita pockets with Monterey Jack cheese, fresh tomato slices, and alfalfa sprouts. A quick vegetarian sandwich ready in 25 minutes using the microwave.