Pasta recipes

Bright, tangy West African chicken-okra soup with lemon, tomatoes, turmeric, and rice simmered in one pot. A warming, nourishing bowl ready in about an hour.

Bajan black bean soup from Barbados: dried black beans simmered with a ham hock, fragrant with allspice and lemon, finished with cream and an optional splash of dark rum. Caribbean comfort in a bowl.

German-style veal cutlets in a creamy curry sauce, browned then simmered in evaporated milk, tomato paste, and mild curry powder with a splash of cognac. An elegant, quick veal dish with a gentle warm-spiced kick.

Gulf Coast Creole fish stew with turbot, minced clams, stewed tomatoes, mushrooms, and Creole seasoning served over rice. A hearty one-skillet seafood dinner with Southern soul.

Traditional chickpea hummus made from dried beans soaked overnight, cooked until tender, then blended with tahini, garlic, soy sauce, and lemon juice. Makes a large batch for freezing.

This sautéed babaganoush skips the grill and cooks cubed eggplant with onions, garlic, cumin, and coriander in a wok. Mashed with tahini and fresh lemon, it's a smoky, chunky dip served with warm pita.

Indian yogurt kabob sauce with cumin, coriander, garam masala, turmeric, and garlic-ginger paste. A tangy, spiced marinade for grilling meat, fish, or vegetables.

BBQ chicken burgers with tangy tomato, Worcestershire, and hot sauce blended right into the patty, topped with a sweet honey-lemon cabbage slaw on cornmeal kaiser rolls. Weeknight-ready in about 30 minutes.

Kalbsschnitzel in Currysosse: German veal cutlets browned and served in a creamy curry sauce with lemon juice, tomato paste, evaporated milk, and a splash of cognac.

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

Topig is a traditional Armenian Lenten dish: chickpea and potato dough wrapped around a filling of tahini, pine nuts, currants, and spiced onions, then boiled until firm. Vegan, hearty, and steeped in centuries of tradition.

Chicken simmered in cream with bechamel, mushrooms, curry powder, and a squeeze of lemon. A rich, French-inspired sauce with a subtle warm spice kick.

Italian spaghetti sauce with three meats: beef, pork, and chicken simmered in tomato paste and Italian tomatoes with meatballs. A slow-cooked Sunday gravy that freezes well.

Elegant seafood Wellington with lobster, prawns, and scallops flamed in cognac, draped in a silky Nantua sauce, and served in golden puff pastry vol-au-vents.

Homemade hummus from scratch using dried chickpeas, a pound of tahini, fresh lemon, and a freeze-to-soften trick for ultra-creamy texture. Middle Eastern dip that puts store-bought tubs to shame.

Fiery Goan beef curry with a complex marinade of vinegar, garlic, hot chilies, and warm spices that packs serious heat for adventurous eaters who like their Indian food authentically spicy.