2,500 leaf recipes

A show-stopping French technique: whole chickens deboned, stuffed with mushrooms and ground veal, marinated in cognac, and served in a pink and green peppercorn cream sauce with demi-glace. Part 1 of 2.

Swordfish escabeche features golden-crusted swordfish bathed in a tangy red wine vinegar sauce spiced with toasted oregano, cumin, allspice, and cinnamon. Served at room temperature with sweet onion rings and red chilies.

Homemade low-fat turkey sausage patties with dried apples, sage, and nutmeg. Ready in 30 minutes, these breakfast sausages skip the grease and pack real country flavor into every bite.

Italian oil-packed tuna blitzed with mascarpone, kalamata olives, capers, anchovy paste, and lemon zest into a luxurious tapenade spread. Pile it on grilled crostini for a cocktail party appetizer that disappears fast.

Breaded chicken breasts baked in tomato sauce with Italian herbs and melted mozzarella. A lighter take on chicken Parmesan using whole wheat crumbs and wheat germ.

California-style stir-fry with broccoli, zucchini, squash, and cauliflower tossed in garlic, herbs, and white wine with a bright squeeze of lemon. Vegetarian and vibrant.

French onion soup Burgundy-style with 3 pounds of onions caramelized, simmered with white wine, and topped with Gruyere-crusted toast baked until bubbly and golden.

Slow-simmered spaghetti sauce with ground beef, three types of tomatoes, cream of mushroom soup, and chili powder. Two hours of uncovered cooking builds deep, rich flavor.

Creamy pinto bean soup pureed smooth with chile, onion, and light cream, garnished with toasted pine nuts, cilantro, and chives. From-scratch beans cooked until velvety.

Dried tomato crostini with sun-dried and fresh tomatoes, olives, capers, balsamic vinegar, and garlic on toasted baguette. An Italian bruschetta-style appetizer with optional melted cheese.

Spanish clay pot chicken with ham, eggplant, zucchini, peppers, and tomatoes braised in wine. A rustic Mediterranean one-pot meal cooked from a cold oven start for tender, falling-off-the-bone results.

Slow cooker Italian beef rollups stuffed with prosciutto, pine nuts, and fresh herbs braised in red wine and dried porcini mushroom broth. Elegant and hands-off.

Peachy pork chops stuffed with a sage and peach bread dressing, then baked over more stuffing with a peach preserve glaze. Sunday dinner with sweet-savory Southern charm.

Pork tacos with tropical papaya salsa bring sweet heat to Taco Tuesday. Baked with melty Monterey Jack, crowned with lime-bright papaya, pineapple, mint, and red chili for a fresh twist on the classic.

Grilled Hawaiian fish draped in a silky basil-coconut curry sauce with lemongrass, ginger, kaffir lime leaves, and homemade red curry paste. Island-meets-Thai fusion, fresh and fragrant.

Steamed fish rolls: salmon and sole wrapped in napa cabbage leaves, bamboo-steamed and served over a silky roasted red pepper sauce. An elegant, low-fat dinner party starter.