Pasta recipes

Laksa gets a bad rap in Singapore because of the addition of coconut cream. However, coconut oil is actually a superfood, containing important compounds that enhance immunity and protect against digestive system disorders. In particular, coconuts are rich in lauric acid, which is known for being antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal, and boosts the immune system. Choose virgin coconut oil and coconut products that have no questionable ingredients added to them.

Lobster and roasted corn chowder with bacon, smoked ham hock, and a Southwestern kick from jalapeño and green chiles. A creamy bowl built from a lobster-stock base and pan-charred corn kernels.

Red chili nightmare: a wild Mexican-style red chili with beef, sausage, pinto beans, almonds, sesame, chocolate, and a dozen green chiles. Mole-inspired, fiery, and not for the timid.

Crispy sesame chicken just like takeout: chicken cubes in a light, crackly batter deep-fried golden, then coated in a glossy sweet-and-tangy sesame sauce and showered with toasted sesame seeds. Serve over rice.

Authentic Ukrainian borscht from Kiev with beef chuck, ham bone, oven-roasted beets, cabbage, potatoes, and prunes for subtle sweetness. Topped with sour cream, dill, and crumbled bacon. Serves 12.

Lemongrass and chili paste beef burgers topped with a cool mint cucumber relish. All the bright, punchy Thai flavors you crave in a juicy, grillable patty.

Sherry-marinated beef stir-fried with cauliflower, roll-cut carrots, and black mushrooms in a Szechuan peppercorn sauce with black bean paste and Chinkiang vinegar. Authentic wok cooking with serious depth of flavor.

Texas-style Brazos turkey chili loaded with poblano, jalapeno, serrano, and chipotle peppers, simmered with Mexican beer and finished with grated dark chocolate. Bold, smoky, and layered with heat.

Authentic crawfish bisque with stuffed crawfish heads, a dark roux, and ground crawfish tails simmered low and slow. The crown jewel of Cajun cooking, served over rice.

Creole beans and rice layers a tomato-spiced kidney bean stew over fluffy rice, finished with a fresh cucumber-tomato salsa for crunch. Vegan, high-fiber Louisiana classic.

A great stand alone vegetarian meal or top it with a fillet of grilled chicken or a white fleshed fish fillet.

Herb-seasoned beef meatballs simmered in homemade red sauce, loaded into hollowed-out hoagie rolls with melted mozzarella and Parmesan, then baked until bubbly and golden.

Italian-style jalapeño chili with hot Italian sausage, ground chuck, fennel, red wine, and three kinds of peppers. A sturdy bowl for game day or cold-weather feeding.

Fried eggplant rounds with Parmesan crust topped with a creamy crab and shrimp sauce flavored with liquid crab boil, cream cheese, and Tabasco. A Cajun-style showstopper.

I made two pizzas today, but since my target audience does not much like mushrooms I only took a photo of this one.

A different kind of chili, not too hot. Serves wonderfully over pasta.