Pasta recipes

Empanadas are Brazil's national appetizer, tiny pies filled with chicken olives, and peas.

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.

Deep-fried ice cream balls coated in almond paste and graham cracker crumbs, served in a peach half with homemade vanilla sauce and chopped walnuts. A restaurant-style showstopper dessert.

Braising can turn a tough piece of meat into a tender, fall off the bone, comfort food. I can think of no better example than the classic dish osso buco, made from veal shanks.

Almond marble cake with swirls of cocoa through a light, airy batter made with real almond paste and whipped egg whites. Topped with sliced almonds and baked golden in a loaf pan.

Slow cooker beef tips with mushrooms and green onions in a rich red wine and beef broth gravy. Set it and forget it for 7 to 12 hours, then serve over hot buttered noodles.

Tuscan-style duck ragu for pappardelle with boneless duck, pancetta, chicken livers, porcini mushrooms, rosemary, and white wine. A rich, slow-simmered Italian meat sauce.

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.

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

Italian zucchini casserole with a spaghetti sauce, cheddar cheese, and mushroom topping baked under Parmesan. A vegetarian main dish or side that uses up summer zucchini.

Sautéed eggplant and tofu glazed in a savory miso-honey-sesame sauce served over fluffy bulgur wheat. A high-fiber vegetarian main dish ready in 35 minutes.

Cauliflower gratin with a savory dressing of olive oil, anchovy paste, capers, lemon, and Dijon mustard, topped with Parmesan bread crumbs and baked until golden and crisp.

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.

Vegetarian tofu meatloaf with sauteed mushrooms, green pepper, mozzarella, and Parmesan baked under a tangy tomato paste glaze. Comfort food that'll fool the meat-eaters at the table.

Vegetarian lentil pie in a whole wheat double crust with celery, Brazil nuts, soy sauce, and warming spices of cinnamon and cloves. A hearty meatless main with savory-sweet depth.

Eggs baked in a spicy tomato-pepper sauce with chili and caramelized onions. The Mediterranean breakfast classic that inspired shakshuka and huevos rancheros.