Pasta recipes

Braised duck breast in a peach-orange cream sauce with mushrooms, honey, and guava jelly. An elegant French-inspired dish finished under the broiler.

Polenta pasticciata layers firm cooled polenta squares with porcini-spiked beef ragù, plum tomatoes, and grated pecorino into a rustic Northern Italian bake. Lasagne, but with cornmeal instead of pasta.

Leg of lamb Nicoise marinates butterflied lamb in a Provencal paste of anchovy, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and red wine vinegar. Broiled or grilled to a juicy pink center for a Mediterranean dinner.

TVP granules sautéed with garlic, peppers, and onions simmer in tangy tomato paste spiked with oregano and cayenne for a protein-packed vegetarian sloppy joe filling.

Homemade deviled ham spread with warm spices, hot mustard, anchovy paste, and a whisper of sherry. Skip the canned stuff and make a version that actually tastes like something.

Ethiopian vegetable stew (Yetakelt W'Et) with potatoes, carrots, green beans, and tomatoes simmered in berbere and ghee. A warming vegetarian dish ready in 40 minutes.

Red wine, tomato, and rosemary sauce simmers a French mirepoix with red wine, tomato paste, and fresh rosemary, then thickens with arrowroot for a glossy, fat-free finish. Versatile for meats, polenta, and pasta.

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

Nutty tahini paste blended with fresh orange juice and zest creates a uniquely flavored Middle Eastern cake studded with walnuts and golden raisins.

Red curry paste from scratch with dried chilies, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime, coriander, and shrimp paste. The authentic Thai foundation for curries and soups.

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.

Parboiled cauliflower and broccoli tossed with colorful bell peppers in a creamy tahini-lemon dressing with garlic. Served chilled with pita wedges and fresh parsley for a vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired vegetable salad.

Killer shrimp: fiery herb-and-garlic broth with rosemary, thyme, fennel, and red pepper, simmered long then poached shrimp added at the end. Eaten with your fingers and plenty of bread.

Stuffed mushroom caps filled with a Mediterranean eggplant and tomato mixture brightened with garlic, basil and parsley. A make-ahead vegetarian appetizer you can serve warm or at room temperature.

Vegetarian almond-tahini burgers with ground almonds, soy sauce, diced carrots, onion, and lemon juice. A simple six-ingredient plant-based patty with rich, nutty flavor.

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.