Pasta recipes

Spanish empanadillas stuffed with wine-braised rabbit, fennel and olives, folded into a thyme-scented dough and baked golden. Savory little hand pies for tapas or a Mediterranean spread.

Posole with hot Italian sausages, golden hominy, green tomatoes, onions, and oregano in a tomato-based broth. A Mexican-Italian fusion stew served in bowls with lime slices and warm tortillas.

Pork loin chops browned and braised with mirepoix, white wine, and tomato paste, then sauced with a strained sour cream, Dijon mustard, and caper finish. Bistro-style elegance in an hour.

Pan-seared red snapper with a parsley-chive herb crust and spicy bean paste, topped with sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, lemon, and garlic.

This is a Middle Eastern soup, typical of the simple foods served in the desert regions. Serve with pita bread and a grain or vegetable dish for a simple meal. This soup is also food served cold, stuffed into a pita bread.

Homemade hummus made from scratch with dried chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. Cooked from soaked beans for a smoother, more flavorful dip than canned versions.

Mediterranean grilled shrimp marinated in olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and oregano with a kick of hot sauce. Broil or grill in 6 minutes for a fast, protein-packed dinner.

Classic boeuf bourguignon, beef slowly braised in red wine until fork-tender, with smoky bacon, sweet little onions, and buttery mushrooms. The deeply savory French beef stew worth the slow oven time.

Rice and bean casserole with brown rice, pink beans, cottage cheese, and wheat germ, topped with sesame seeds. A high-protein vegetarian one-dish meal.

Chilled shrimp cocktail with brandy-spiked lemon cream sauce, studded with crisp apple and fresh herbs. Elegant Italian appetizer.

Creamy beef stroganoff with sirloin filet, sauteed mushrooms, blanched pearl onions, and a rich creme fraiche sauce spiked with Dijon, paprika, and demi-glace. Restaurant-style dinner over buttered noodles.

Mushrooms, beef, tomatoes and peas are cooked into flavorful gravy, and topped with creamy mashed potato that becomes golden, brown and crispy after baking.

Classic French ratatouille with eggplant, zucchini, peppers, tomatoes and fresh herbs. A vegan Provençal stew that freezes beautifully in meal-sized portions.

Bring some exotic flavor to your crockpot with this succulent dish made with eggplant, zucchini and black olives.

Vegetarian bean pate purees a 7-bean and barley mix with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and cumin into a thick Mediterranean-style spread. Serve chilled with whole wheat bread or crackers.

Spaghetti sauce from fresh tomatoes with fennel seeds, green pepper, Parmesan, and a triple tomato base of fresh, pureed, and paste. The longer it simmers, the better it gets.