Sauces/4 recipes

A refreshing twist on a multi-layer tortilla dip great for serving a crowd.

Easy raisin sauce: a classic sweet-tangy companion for baked ham, made with brandy-plumped raisins, Dijon, red wine vinegar, brown sugar, and brown sauce. An Easter dinner essential.

Chinese fried rice is probably the most popular take-out food, it's quick-easy to make, and packed with flavors. Because of the simplicity, making it at home becomes so easy, and you can be creative too. No matter what it always comes out with great flavors and textures.

Use the slow-cooker and liquid smoke instead of grilling and wood chips. The result is outstanding, and the pork is packed with flavor.

Avocado crab salad served in avocado halfs. Makes an awesome presentation.

An easy yet flavorful sichuan fried rice is packed with goodness. A great week-day meal is all in one pot.

This Chinese stir-fry is quick and easy to make, all the Asian spices give the vegetables lots of flavor, cooked marinated tofu cubes are golden, brown and crusty. A very tasty dish, serve it with rice!

This was outstanding. The dill mushroom sauce had just the right balance of acidity and sweetness to match the asparagus. The quantities for two servings in the recipe was bang on. The recipe came together fairly quickly and presentation looked great. Will upload the photo shortly.

Pecan tarts with caramel sauce: flaky homemade pastry shells filled with a brown-butter pecan filling, baked golden, then drizzled with silky amber caramel. Individual holiday tartlets worth the effort.

The secret to this recipe is cooking the beef in 1 cup of oil to seal in the juices, and cooking the broccoli in water to make it crisp and tender. For a more authentic touch, try using Chinese broccoli, which has an appearance and taste similar to asparagus.

Cocoa mocha bundt cake: a dark, deeply chocolatey bundt with a full cup of cocoa, brewed coffee, and buttermilk. Drizzle with caramel or chocolate sauce. From-scratch, no cake mix.

Blue pumpkin!? We got one from our local farm and came up with this recipe to give a try cooking with it. Regular pie pumpkin can be used but if you find yourself with a blue pumpkin here's a good way to use it.

Crispy pan-fried chickpea burgers with oregano and cumin, tucked into warm pita with a creamy lemon-tahini yogurt sauce. Vegetarian, healthy, and done in 25 minutes.

This thrifty classic casserole is a favorite for holiday dinners or family gatherings and can be easily customized to suit your tastes. The crispy, golden top and tender, flavorful layers make scalloped potatoes a truly satisfying and comforting meal.

Kung Pao beef: velveted flank steak stir-fried with roasted peanuts, fiery dried chilies, and crunchy water chestnuts in a savory-sweet Sichuan sauce. A bold, spicy take on takeout, ready in 40 minutes.

The basic pizza dough and sauce ready and waiting for your favorite toppings!