Pasta recipes

Sesame amaranth cake with triple-sesame flavor from tahini, sesame oil, and ground sesame seeds. Dense, golden, and honey-sweetened with a halvah-like richness and satisfying crumble.

Pasulj: Balkan white bean and kielbasa soup thickened with a paprika-oil roux (zaprška). Slow-simmered with onion, garlic, and smoked sausage. A Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian comfort classic.

Vegan tofu salad with tahini, soy sauce, eggless mayo, and mustard. A creamy, protein-packed no-cook spread for sandwiches, pita, crackers, or lettuce wraps ready in 15 minutes.

I was surprised at how good this was. I will add fresh cilantro next time, and fresh veggies such as corn and green onion, celery. Was not spicy enough for my taste, so maybe add jalepeno next time as well. I enjoy this recipe!

A Louisiana-style turkey gumbo loaded with sauteed okra, the holy trinity of celery, onion, and green pepper, fresh and canned tomatoes, and file powder, served over rice. Leftover turkey gets a bayou soul in 40 minutes.

Homemade Thai curry spice paste with dried red chilies, coriander, garlic, shallots, anchovy, and lemon zest. Keeps two months in the fridge for quick weeknight curries.

Mandelbreit is a Jewish almond bread sliced twice-baked style with three fillings: cocoa, walnuts, and candied fruit. Aging the rolls in foil for a week deepens the flavor.

A New Orleans-style charlotte: chocolate sponge rolled with almond paste, sliced and pressed into a springform, filled with amaretto-soaked chocolate mousse. A Mardi Gras showstopper.

A rich and delicious lasagna made with italian sausage, ground beef and a variety of scrumptious cheeses.

A hearty Bulgarian stew of lentils and navy beans simmered with sweet red peppers, paprika, and herbs in a rich broth deepened with prune juice and tomato paste. Vegan-friendly and high in fiber.

Homemade Barbecue Sauce built on apple juice, tomato paste, honey, and soy sauce, simmered and blended smooth. Vegetarian, no refined sugar, with cinnamon adding warm depth.

Hearty vegan chickpea loaf with tahini, cumin, and turmeric, packed with sauteed vegetables. A protein-rich plant-based main that slices like meatloaf.

Beer and beef stew from Granite Brewery with cubed beef, root vegetables, Dijon mustard, and a dark chocolate-brown roux. A pub-style stew thickened with a proper French roux.

A wonderful venison chili that's loaded with flavour.

Wholesome layered bar cookies with a tahini-oat-almond crumb crust and a cocoa filling made from tofu, ricotta, and maple syrup. Sweetened naturally and full of fiber.

Bean salad with mustard-tahini-soy marinade, scallions, carrots, and parsley stuffed into pita with alfalfa sprouts. A protein-packed vegetarian lunch ready in 25 minutes.