Rice/7 recipes

Hearty slow cooker spaghetti sauce loaded with ground beef, mushrooms, bell peppers, and Italian herbs. Simmer it low and slow for rich, restaurant-quality marinara.

Stuffed polenta with meat sauce: two layers of Parmesan polenta sandwiching a meaty tomato-basil sauce and mozzarella, baked hot until bubbly. A lighter Italian alternative to lasagna.

Crispy pan-fried potatoes seasoned with toasted cumin seeds, fennel seeds, cayenne, and loads of fresh basil. Eat them straight from the pan or wrap in a tortilla with cool yogurt for a quick, spiced meal.

Homemade breakfast sausage patties ground from pork shoulder and bacon, seasoned with sage, mace, coriander, and fresh orange zest. No mystery ingredients, just real pork and bold spice.

Sicilian pasta con le sarde with fresh sardines, sweet currants, toasted pine nuts, fennel, and crispy breadcrumbs. Authentic Italian coastal flavor.

Thick, hearty steak chili loaded with tender cubed round steak, smoky chili powder, and cumin, simmered low and slow in a rich tomato-salsa base. A cornmeal-flour slurry gives it body that clings to every spoonful.

Hearty white bean and lamb shank soup simmered low and slow with sage, garlic, and a bright squeeze of lemon. Freezer-friendly and feeds a crowd.

Ham and cheese breakfast casserole layers whole-wheat bread, spinach, diced ham, and roasted red peppers in a Gruyere-topped custard. An overnight-friendly brunch bake for 6.

Harissa spiced green bean salad with blanched carrots, chickpeas, and crisp cucumber in a North African chile-lemon dressing. A bright, fiery cold salad ready in 20 minutes.

Crispy golden crab and avocado fritters with salsa and green onions, fried to a crunch outside while staying creamy inside. Makes 4 dozen party-ready bites you can prep ahead.

Mexican-style lasagna with ground beef, green chilies, corn, and cheddar cheese layered in a cumin-spiced picante tomato sauce. Topped with sour cream and olives.

Cold green vegetable soup with poached fish. Source: Olga Gorechev, St. Petersburg, Russia

Pan-seared veal cutlets with a woodsy sauce of shiitake mushrooms, spring fiddleheads, crispy pancetta, and sherry. A restaurant-style spring main that comes together in under 30 minutes.

This relish is based on a prize-winning English recipe of more than a generation ago. It is less sweet than traditional chutneys; most of its sweetness comes not from sugar, but from apples, dates, and parsnips. I generally use Winesap apples but any well-flavored, crisp eating apple will do.

Crispy bacon bits and cubed sharp cheddar stud these savory corn muffins spiked with smoked paprika and fresh chives. Ready in 40 minutes from mix.

Sautéed pancetta with balsamic beans simmers crispy pancetta, garlic, crushed tomatoes, and white beans in a sweet-tart honey-balsamic glaze. A rustic Italian side or weeknight main.