Pasta recipes

Braised baby back ribs finished on the grill or in the oven with a homemade vinegar barbecue sauce. Braise first for tender meat, then glaze with a tangy, spiced sauce for smoky, sticky ribs.

A killer no-bean Texas-style chili with coarse-ground chuck, beer, tequila, whiskey, and six whole jalapeños. Not for the faint of heart.

Stir-fried rice vermicelli draped in a savory broccoli sauce with bean paste, garlic, and thick soy. This Thai-inspired vegetarian noodle dish comes together in 35 minutes flat.

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.

Breakfast lasagne with sliced ham, gruyere, mozzarella, ricotta, and a mustard-spiked bechamel. Layered in a 13x9 pan for a brunch crowd of six to eight.

Vegan navy bean soup with balsamic-caramelized onions, miso paste, tomato sauce, and warming spices. Oil-free, long-simmered for deep flavor, serves 8. Worth every minute of the 4-hour cook.

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.

Le Montrachet lobster bisque: classic French restaurant-style bisque made from real lobster shells, white wine, brandy, sherry, and heavy cream. The kind of soup that earns its place at a fine-dining table.

Leg of lamb stuffed with rice rolls a butterflied Pakistani-spiced lamb leg around a mushroom and rice filling, roasted to carving-perfect for a showstopper holiday main.

Try this succulent crockpot dish that is made with italian sausage, jalapeno peppers and taco sauce.

Herb-packed chickpea falafel patties loaded with cumin, basil, marjoram, thyme, and tahini, pan-fried until golden brown and stuffed into whole wheat pita pockets with fresh veggies.

Modern fajitas with flank steak marinated overnight in a chili-cocoa-tequila rub, then grilled and sliced for tortillas. Served with guacamole, refried beans, salsa, and cilantro for a smoky Tex-Mex spread.

Unsloppy Joes are vegetarian sloppy joes with kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, chili powder, and diced vegetables served in hollowed-out kaiser rolls. Low-fat, hearty, and mess-free.

Gow gees are crispy fried Chinese dumplings filled with pork, shrimp, dried mushrooms, and scallions. Served with classic homemade sweet and sour sauce. Makes 48 for a crowd.

Crawfish tails baked in a rich custard of cream, eggs, and Swiss cheese with sautéed vegetables, cognac, and sautérne. A Cajun-French quiche that's pure indulgence.